How
the Electoral College Works In America
Student Name
Institution
Discussion
Every December after elections, the
electors representing each state meet at their capitals to vote for president
and vice president. Their votes are sealed and sent to the Senate of the
president where they are opened and read in January in the presence of the Congress
from both houses. The winner is then sworn in by December 20th (Miller, R.
2011). Frequently, the electors choose the candidates with most votes from the
citizens, but there have been times when the electors have elected against the
will of the citizens (Levin-Waldman, 2011).
Arguments have been made in favor and
against the Electoral College process. Reformers argue that the process is
against democracy. For instance, three votes in Wyoming State with a small
population are similar to three votes of California with a population 50 times more
than that of Wyoming. Also, they argue that some elections are decided by
courts which take away the citizens’ electoral right. On the other hand,
support of the Electoral Process especially from the small states says that the
president would never bother to visit their states since he would visit states
with a high number of voters. Arthur Schlesinger Jr. also supports the process
saying the third parties would disunite America (Historynewsnetwork.org.,
2016).
Arthur Schlesinger Jr. calls for amendment
of the process rather than abolishing it. He proposes that the popular winner
of each state has two extra votes. This would ensure democracy and eliminate
the weight and powers given to small states. Undoubtedly this would ensure that
large states and small states have a voting right depending on its population,
thus, democracy (Human Events, 2016).
References
Historynewsnetwork.org.
(2016). What Are the Arguments Made in Favor--And Against--the Electoral College?. [online] Available at:
http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/8163 [Accessed 14 Apr. 2016].
Human
Events. (2016). GOP Leaders United in Defense of Electoral College | Human
Events. [online] Available at:
http://humanevents.com/2011/05/18/gop-leaders-united-in-defense-of-electoral-college/
[Accessed 14 Apr. 2016].
Levin-Waldman,
O. (2011). The American constitution. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education,
Inc.
Miller,
R. (2011). The electoral college. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.
