Except for Maine and Nebraska, the states of the union give all their electoral votes to the presidential candidate receiving the majority of votes. This is labeled the “Unit Rule.” The Unit Rule is also called the “winner take all” system. The other method used is called the district system. The district system is when a state automatically gives the candidate with the most votes in the state 2 votes. Then the other votes of the state are proportionally handed out according to the congressional winners per district.
The Unit Rule skews the democratic system. Under this system many, many citizens don’t even make an impact on the final vote outcome. It’s no wonder people are disenfranchised by elections because the more population a state has the more impact its citizens have under the electoral system and its Unit Vote; the people in the most populous states get the most attention from presidential candidates.
The United States has changed a lot since the election guidelines were written. For example, demographics have changed and technology has changed. The old fashioned way of life is gone. Politicians don’t campaign on the back of a railroad train any more. They can easily travel to each state to give speeches to the people.
But due to the Unit Rule candidates are forced to only travel to the states with the most people who are likely to vote. It’s a common sense way to approach campaigning but it has nothing to do with a democracy.
There is a real danger that more states will try to “game the system” by switching back and for the between unit rule and the district system. That would be a ridiculous way to try to run a serious presidential elections.
The Unit Rule as well as the Electoral System do not meet the needs of the country.
The Unit Rule is obsolete and does not reflect the democratic values of the citizens.
Any way to encourage more involvement and voting from people is needed. There is a good chance more people will get involved and vote under the district system.
It’s definitely time to use the district system in all of the states.
References
Patterson, Thomas E. and Gary Halter. We the People: A Concise Introduction to American Politics 9th Edition, NYC: McGraw Hill, 2008. 425, 426.
Spivak, Joshua, “The Brewing Attempts to Game the Electoral College,” Forbes.com, last modified Febr. 25, 2011, http://www.forbes.com/2011/02/24/electoral-college-nebraska-opinions-joshua-spivak_print.html
