Can Liberty and Democracy Endure Under Sway of Electoral College?

The Electoral College is a body of electors established by the United States Constitution, constituted every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president of the United States. The electors are chosen by each state, in a manner directed by the legislature thereof. Each state’s number of electors is equal to the number of seats it has in the U.S. House of Representatives plus its two senators.

The Electoral College has been the subject of much debate and controversy throughout its history. Some argue that it is an outdated system that no longer reflects the will of the people. Others argue that it is an essential part of the American system of government, and that it protects the interests of smaller states.

In recent years, the Electoral College has come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of two presidential elections in which the winner of the popular vote did not win the Electoral College and thus the presidency. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes, but Donald Trump won the Electoral College and thus the presidency. In 2020, Joe Biden won the popular vote by over 7 million votes, but Donald Trump won the Electoral College again.

The question of whether the Electoral College can be reconciled with liberty and democracy is a complex one. On the one hand, the Electoral College can be seen as a system that protects the interests of the minority. In a direct election, it is possible for a candidate to win the presidency with a minority of the popular vote, as happened in 2000 and 2016. The Electoral College helps to ensure that no candidate can win the presidency without winning the support of a majority of states.

On the other hand, the Electoral College can also be seen as a system that undermines the will of the people. In a direct election, the candidate who receives the most votes wins. In the Electoral College, it is possible for a candidate to win the presidency without winning the most votes. This happened in 2000 and 2016, and it could happen again in the future.

The question of whether the Electoral College can be reconciled with liberty and democracy is a difficult one to answer. There are strong arguments to be made on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, it is up to the American people to decide whether the Electoral College is a system that they want to keep.