Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/11/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thanks for this astute explanation of the electoral process in our Constitutional Republic. We in Colorado are now aware of intended sleight of hand embodied in casting electoral votes proportionally. Given the nature of the state's political make-up, it would give Colorado's nine electoral votes the net effect of a single, measely vote. As in five versus four, leaving a difference of one. Talk about turning us into a girlie state. Oh, and the promoter wrote the amendment to be retroactive to include this current election. Crafty devil. The interesting part of this proposed amendment is that it was put on our ballot by a California political booster (a Democrat). Curious that he didn't choose to test his electoral scheme with 55 electoral votes of his home state, a state so heavily Democrat it is nearly a socialist country unto itself. -Chris Lawson abridge@gmail.com writes: The vote for President in the United States isn't "one man, one vote" and thus the winner of the popular vote wins. Instead each state elects a slate of electors designated to the candidate on the ballot. The number of electors for each state is the sum of representatives and senators for that state. Thus California, at 55, has the largest number and Wyoming has 3. Some states are choosing to determine the number of electors sent to the electoral college by giving a percentage of the popular vote. I believe Maine does this and it's on the ballot in Colorado. The Constitution doesn't tell the several states how to determine the makeup, just WHEN: the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. There are movements for ammendments to the Constitution to change this but I can't see them passing any time soon. It re-inforces the fact that the United States is a REPUBLIC and not a true democracy. We could, as my wife says, get the full lesson since in the event of a tie in the electoral college the House of Representatives will choose the President on the basis of one vote per state. The Senate votes to choose the VP. Oh - note that the electors are essentially free agents. They can choose to vote how they wish. So if the apparent elected president is killed or incapacitated before they meet...well...then things get REALLY interesting. I don't believe I have ever met an elector from any state. They are high up in the political party and I don't climb in that atmosphere. Hope this helps and if I get any of it wrong I'm sure someone will correct me!