Reform the election process to eliminate the Electoral College and institute a popular voting system.
The principle of “one person, one vote” is a cornerstone of democratic governance. However, the Electoral College violates this principle by giving disproportionate influence to voters in smaller states and swing states. Under the current system, a vote cast in a small state such as Wyoming carries more weight than a vote cast in a populous state like California. This disparity arises because each state’s electoral votes are based on its total number of senators and representatives, meaning smaller states have outsized influence relative to their populations.
In a popular vote system, every vote would carry equal weight, regardless of the voter’s location. The winner of the presidency would be the candidate who secures the most votes across the entire nation, ensuring that each citizen’s vote counts equally. This reform would eliminate the skewing of influence that the Electoral College currently perpetuates, making the election results more reflective of the actual will of the people.
One of the most problematic features of the Electoral College is its focus on a handful of swing states—those with an unpredictable partisan balance. In every presidential election, candidates disproportionately focus their time, resources, and policies on a few battleground states such as Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Meanwhile, voters in reliably red or blue states are often ignored, as their states are seen as already decided.
A popular vote system would encourage presidential candidates to campaign nationwide, not just in swing states. Every vote would matter equally, so candidates would be incentivized to appeal to a broader spectrum of Americans, leading to more inclusive and representative governance. Voters in traditionally “safe” states would finally have more of a voice in determining the outcome of the election.
Under the Electoral College, it is possible for a candidate to win the presidency without winning the popular vote. When a candidate wins the Electoral College but loses the popular vote, it raises concerns about democratic legitimacy, as a president is elected who does not represent the choice of the majority of voters. A popular vote system would prevent this from happening, as the candidate with the most votes nationwide would always win. This ensures that the president is chosen by a true majority or plurality of voters, aligning the outcome with the democratic principle of majority rule.
The Electoral College can discourage voter participation, particularly in states that are solidly Democratic or Republican. In these states, many voters feel that their votes don’t matter, as the outcome in their state is seen as predetermined. As a result, voter turnout in non-swing states can be lower, weakening democratic engagement. A popular vote system would give every voter a reason to participate, as every vote would count equally in the national tally. This could lead to higher voter turnout nationwide, strengthening the overall democratic process and fostering a more engaged electorate.
In conclusion, reforming the U.S. presidential voting system from the Electoral College to a popular vote is a vital step toward ensuring fairness, equality, and democratic legitimacy. A popular vote system would better reflect the will of the American people, enhance voter participation, reduce the disproportionate influence of swing states, and ensure that the president is truly the choice of the majority. It is time for the U.S. to modernize its election process and move toward a system that more accurately embodies the democratic ideals upon which the nation was founded.
