Election via Electoral College vs. Election via Popular Vote

Attribute	Election via Electoral College	Election via Popular Vote
Method of selecting president	Electors chosen by each state	Total number of votes cast nationwide
Winner takes all	Most states award all electoral votes to winner	Winner is candidate with most votes
Focus on swing states	Candidates focus on states with close races	Candidates focus on high population areas
Impact of third-party candidates	Can impact outcome in certain states	Less likely to impact outcome
Popular vote winner may not win	Possible due to electoral college system	Winner is candidate with most votes

Introduction

When it comes to electing the President of the United States, there are two main methods that are used: the Electoral College and the Popular Vote. Each method has its own set of attributes and advantages, which can lead to different outcomes in terms of who ultimately wins the election. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Election via Electoral College and Election via Popular Vote.

Electoral College

The Electoral College is a system in which each state is assigned a certain number of electors based on its population. These electors then cast their votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote in their state. The candidate who receives a majority of the electoral votes (270 out of 538) is declared the winner of the presidential election. One of the main attributes of the Electoral College is that it gives smaller states a greater voice in the election process. This is because each state, regardless of its population, is guaranteed at least three electoral votes.

• Assigns electors based on state population
• Gives smaller states a greater voice
• Winner needs majority of electoral votes

Popular Vote

The Popular Vote, on the other hand, is a simple tally of all the votes cast by individual citizens. The candidate who receives the most votes nationwide is declared the winner of the election. One of the main attributes of the Popular Vote is that it ensures that every vote counts equally. This means that the candidate who receives the most votes overall will win the election, regardless of how those votes are distributed geographically. However, critics of the Popular Vote argue that it could lead to candidates focusing only on densely populated urban areas, neglecting the concerns of voters in rural areas.

• Tally of all votes cast by citizens
• Ensures every vote counts equally
• Candidate with most votes wins

Comparison

When comparing Election via Electoral College and Election via Popular Vote, it is important to consider the implications of each method. The Electoral College system can lead to situations where a candidate wins the presidency without winning the popular vote, as was the case in the 2016 election. This has led to calls for reforming or abolishing the Electoral College in favor of a Popular Vote system. On the other hand, the Popular Vote system ensures that the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide wins the election, which some argue is a more democratic approach.

• Electoral College can lead to winner without popular vote
• Popular Vote ensures candidate with most votes wins
• Calls for reforming Electoral College

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Election via Electoral College and Election via Popular Vote have their own set of attributes and advantages. The Electoral College system gives smaller states a greater voice in the election process, while the Popular Vote system ensures that every vote counts equally. Ultimately, the choice between these two methods comes down to how we define democracy and representation in the United States. Whether we stick with the Electoral College or move towards a Popular Vote system, it is important to consider the implications of each method on the future of our democracy.