Should we reform the Electoral College?

[senyor_brownbear]

I'm in full support of the Popular Vote Compact. It's the easiest way to have the equivalent of a national popular vote.

I don't think a vote by congressional district works, as that encourages even more gerrymandering and naturally benefits one party (in this case it's the Republicans, as Democrats are more likely to live in areas where they're overrepresented, or in small liberal enclaves within conservative zones.)

I think that's the biggest issue. Over representation. Democrats in cities have far too much power in major states just by living in tiny zones.

Do you understand how democracy works?

No. We live in a republic. I am personally for the congressional district method. It seems to be the best compromise. The cities will still decide the at-large votes, but the other areas won't have their voice drowned out.

What happens when the Republicans increasingly become an urban party?  I don't think there's any possible way to avoid this trend.  If this country were 95% urban (and this is an inevitability for some decade into the future), what could we do to protect the rural voter block?

[senyor_brownbear]

For the ones who want to abolish the Electoral College, what do you prefer:
Popular vote in one round? Or two rounds?

Would you like the possibility of voting for Ralph Nader in the first round and for the Democrat in the second round?

A two-round system would absolutely kill Democratic turnout and virtually guarantee Republican victory if no one got a majority. It's hard enough getting our voters out for one election, let alone two. I think the best solution would be what Australia uses, IRV. That way you could vote for Nader first preference then have the Dem as your second.

Ummm, what?  In a two-round presidential vote, it would be the first part no one cares about.

Round One: Jeb Bush. Hillary Clinton. Gary Johnson. Jill Stein.  Gee, I wonder who makes it.

[senyor_brownbear]

Ummm, what?  In a two-round presidential vote, it would be the first part no one cares about.

Round One: Jeb Bush. Hillary Clinton. Gary Johnson. Jill Stein.  Gee, I wonder who makes it.

That's what people in France thought until 2002, when the left-wing vote splintered.  Center-left candidate Lionel Jospin came in third, and voters had to choose between the center-right Jacques Chirac and the far-right Jean-Marie Le Pen.  Chirac won the second round 82-18.

In which case the ultimate outcome, Chirac's victory, was never in question?

[senyor_brownbear]

Hilarious how the GOP now wants to reform the electoral college.  Last time I checked Gore won the popular vote

Last I checked it's 2014, not 2000, and the Democrats have a huge advantage with the current EC map

The regions that have agreed to the National Popular Vote Compact tend to be liberal. It passed in DC and nine Safe-D states. It's also waiting for executive approval in New York.

Its best showing in any conservative state is Oklahoma, where it passed the upper house.

It is kind of ironic that the compact is doing best in liberal state, seeing as how Democrats, at least right now, benefit much more from keeping the EC

Just because the Democrats are advantaged in electoral college elections does not mean they wouldn't be even more advantaged in popular vote elections.  I think popular votes would give more power to cities and liberals.