Can the Electoral College Vote However They Want?
The Electoral College, a key component of the United States’ federal system, has been a subject of controversy and debate for centuries. One of the most contentious issues surrounding this institution is whether the electors can vote however they want. The short answer is: yes, they can.
The Electoral College is composed of 538 electors, with each state receiving a number of electors equal to its total number of senators and representatives in Congress. The purpose of the Electoral College is to ensure that smaller states have a voice in the election process, as their populations are generally smaller than those in larger states. However, the Constitution does not explicitly state that electors must vote for the candidate who won the popular vote in their state.
The original intent of the Electoral College was to serve as a safeguard against the election of a “despotic” leader. The framers of the Constitution were concerned that a large, uneducated populace might be easily swayed by demagogues or charismatic leaders. As a result, they designed the Electoral College to be an intermediary body that would select the president based on the electors’ judgment of the candidates’ qualifications.
The Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1804, clarified the process for the Electoral College. It stipulates that each elector must cast one vote for president and one vote for vice president. However, the Amendment does not require electors to vote for the candidates who won the popular vote in their state. This means that an elector can vote for any candidate they choose, regardless of the popular vote in their state.
The idea of “faithless electors” has gained attention in recent years, as some electors have chosen to vote for a candidate other than the one who won the popular vote in their state. While this has happened infrequently, it has sparked debates about the role and responsibilities of the Electoral College.
Proponents of allowing electors to vote however they want argue that it preserves the original intent of the Electoral College, ensuring that the president is chosen by a group of wise and informed individuals rather than by the popular vote. They believe that this system encourages electors to research and evaluate the candidates’ qualifications, thereby making the election process more thoughtful and deliberative.
On the other hand, opponents of this practice argue that it undermines the democratic principle of one person, one vote. They contend that the Electoral College is an outdated institution that no longer serves its intended purpose and that faithless electors can undermine the will of the people. They advocate for reforming or eliminating the Electoral College to ensure that the president is elected by the majority of the nation’s voters.
In conclusion, the Electoral College can indeed allow electors to vote however they want. This practice has sparked a heated debate about the role of the Electoral College in the American political system. While some argue that it preserves the original intent of the framers, others believe it is an undemocratic institution that should be reformed or abolished. As the 2020 presidential election approaches, the issue of faithless electors is likely to remain a contentious topic in the ongoing conversation about the future of the Electoral College.
