Author Topic: The electoral college...do we really need it? (Read 483 times)

muckmaw · « **on:** April 14, 2004, 12:43:37 PM »

If memory serves me, was'nt the electoral college designed for a country that was sparsly populated with little or no infrastructure, thereby making it difficult if not impossible for many to vote?

In this age of instant global communication, is it time to eliminate this institution?

Come to think of it, why do I have to register to vote at all? Why can't I be automatically registered when I file my income tax return, or renew my license?

And why are we using machine from the 1960's to cast our votes? Punch cards? Chads? WTF?

Internet voting!

And in an effort to cut off the silly flippant comments, "We need the electoral college so GWB can steal another election" because Bush is the (A) Satan (B) hitler (C)Suck.

LePaul · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2004, 12:46:30 PM »

How Stuff Works

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2004, 12:47:12 PM »

If this BBS is any indicator, yes, the EC is absolutely necessary.

muckmaw · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2004, 12:54:47 PM »

Thanks, BD.

Nice resource.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2004, 12:56:55 PM »

The one thing I don't like is that not every state votes the same way electorally.

I.E. One state might have the votes split 8-7 in favor of someone. One candidate would get 8 votes, the other 7.

Other states would have the same split 8-7. The guy who won the 8 Votes would recieve all 15 votes, while the guy with 7 recieves none.

Westy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:12:23 PM »

No. IMO the electoral college is, and has been for some time, obsolete and not truly representative of the majority.

The public knows, or easily can if they choose to, all about the politicians from each of the states. People are able to review voting records and read politicians stances on issues directly now. And since the e.c. system was put into place newspapers, radio, television and more recently the internet have all helped to shrink this country into literally one big village.
Add to all that the Amercian public education system and IMO the average American is more intellegent when compared to thier ruralistic peers of the late 1700's.

(although when reading some posts one has ample reason to wonder)

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:15:42 PM »

The electoral college is also still used to keep election fraud from running rampant.

If it turned into a popular vote, it would be free license to conjure up as many votes as you possibly can, most likely illegal.

Delirium · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:18:26 PM »

The current system of elections are in desperate need of a complete overhaul. Not only are things non-uniform from state to state, but the machines and in some cases punch cards and paper ballets are rife with miscounts.

What I'd like to see is a voting system where a touch screen system is used, along with a portable PDA system for those military men overseas or the infirmed who are unable to make it to the polls. Quicker response with less human error...

Yeager · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:21:50 PM »

Hell yes we need it. Just look at who would be president without it.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:22:41 PM »

However unlikely, it is possible for a candidate to win the presidency while only receiving a little over ½ as many individual votes as the runner up. The EC is dumb and outdated.

eskimo

Skuzzy · « **Reply #10 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:24:08 PM »

Delirium, there is a new electronic touch screen system being implemented, but it can be hacked, the vote counts altered and the trail can be cleaned,..all inside of 5 minutes.
It's so bad the company making and selling the systems have released the source code to the application (Windows based) asking for help to fix it.

Sixpence · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:26:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Delirium, there is a new electronic touch screen system being implemented, but it can be hacked, the vote counts altered and the trail can be cleaned,..all inside of 5 minutes.
It's so bad the company making and selling the systems have released the source code to the application (Windows based) asking for help to fix it.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

AKIron · « **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:27:25 PM »

I have no problem with an electoral college. However, it'd make more sense to me to tally the votes by college members rather than giving an entire state to the winner in that state.

vorticon · « **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:37:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Delirium, there is a new electronic touch screen system being implemented, but it can be hacked, the vote counts altered and the trail can be cleaned,..all inside of 5 minutes.
It's so bad the company making and selling the systems have released the source code to the application (Windows based) asking for help to fix it.

ug...windows based...i dont know whos stupider...the makers of it or the people who let the makers of it make it...

Munkii · « **Reply #14 on:** April 14, 2004, 01:40:46 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Yeager
Hell yes we need it. Just look at who would be president without it.

Yeah, the person that more Americans who decided to vote chose to be President. Eliminating the electoral college could promote more political involvement since each vote truely would count. Each party would be trying harder than ever to get party membership up and voter turn out up.