The Pros And Cons Of The Electoral College

The United States Electoral College is an American system designed by the founding fathers to conduct elections. However, it has become subject to controversy in the 2016 Presidential election. The unique aspect of the Electoral College is how electors are awarded to presidential candidates using a state-by-state method of determining the number of electors. While the Electoral College is fundamental to the founders of America to protect the nation, its fatal flaws are too damaging to the people of the United States. In my opinion, the Electoral College needs to be reexamined in order to establish a new way of electing Presidents and Vice Presidents. The best way to protect the people's voice in the United States is to establish a nationwide

This system can be detrimental to the American people by diminishing the significance of individual votes for the President. The state-by-state method has changed the course of US history and undermined the will of the majority of voters. This has occurred when the Electoral College has elected the loser of the popular vote in five instances[^1^]. These presidential elections were in 1876, 1888, 1960, 2000, and 2016, going against the wishes of US voters. This represents a 9% failure rate for the state-by-state method, which has allowed the popular vote loser to occupy the Oval Office. This issue has had profound effects on the health of US elections and the essence of democracy. The state-by-state method can silence the will and choices of millions of people, as their votes do not carry the same weight in certain key swing states. Comparing this system to the potential benefits of a nationwide vote for the president, the current system is flawed, and a nationwide vote could be the rectification that US democracy needs. The nationwide vote would likely increase voter turnout in America because it will result in greater competition and impact, encouraging people to vote. This is supported by the fact that "turnout in competitive states is usually higher than in the rest of the country"[^2^]. The higher turnout in the swing states is because of the national focus

This process was designed by the founding fathers of the United States, and it involves electors meeting in December to vote for the President and Vice President in separate ballots. Alexander Hamilton favored this method, as he believed that a "small number of persons… will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to such complicated investigations" [1]. According to Hamilton's vision, if the electors can determine that the candidate the state has voted for is unqualified to hold the office. They can set aside the votes of the state and vote according to the state’s own will and justifications. Hamilton believed this would have safeguards against “evil was not least to be dreaded in the election of a magistrate, who was to have so important an agency in the administration of the government as the President of the United States” U. This has resulted in the "faithless electors," which has occurred in the United States many times in past elections, as recently as 2016 when 7 electors did not vote for the state candidate. However, this original way of appointing electors goes against the core values of true democracy. Hamilton believed that the people were not educated in politics and were not able to select their preferred candidate without the