Election hinges on Colorado?

[valkyrie]

Colorado voters will decide whether to change the way the state's electoral votes are awarded. How likely is this to affect the outcome of the election?

I'm voting for the Amendment, for a number of reasons. What do you all think of it?

[DeltAlum]

I voted for the amendment. It makes a whole lot more sense to me than the Electoral College itself does.

It has never made sense to me that someone can win the popular vote and then lose in the Electoral College.

This amendment seems much more fair and equitible to me.

As for Colorado's nine electoral votes, or part thereof, actually swinging the election one way or the other -- it would have to be one heck of an even race to make that happen.

Kind of like 2000, I guess.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Doesn't that ammendment state that it would apply to this election? If so, its illegal for federal elections. Federal election law, since the 19th century has required that all election rules be in force at least six days before an election.

[valkyrie]

Yes, it does state that it would apply to this election.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Great. Now if its a real close election, and it hinges on Colorado, it could be Supreme Court time all over again.

[phigamucsb]

The electoral college exists in order to prevent candidates from disinfranchising most of the states in the U.S. With a large portion of America living in metropolitan areas candidates would not need to pay attention to the needs of people in small states such as, RI or ME. They could focus solely on these metropolitan areas promising entitlements, which in essence would be buying votes. It's the diversity of the different regions in America that make us such a great country, the electoral college ensures we pay attention to each state.

[DeltAlum]

Actually, the Electoral College probably really exists because the founding fathers of our country couldn't quite bring themselves to allow the great unwashed outside the establishment in the original thirteen colonies to have a really strong voice in popular elections.

Remember, at that time, the only cities, and thus most of the votes, were there.

[Kevlar281]

The election hinges on Pennsylvania...IMO.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Actually, the Electoral College probably really exists because the founding fathers of our country couldn't quite bring themselves to allow the great unwashed outside the establishment in the original thirteen colonies to have a really strong voice in popular elections.

Remember, at that time, the only cities, and thus most of the votes, were there.

The Electoral College was derived from the Connecticut Compromise, and serves the same purpose. Undo the Connecticut Compromise, and you risk unraveling this nation.

ETA I don't see the proposed Colorado ammendment as undoing the Connecticut Compromise. These types of experiments are good for democracy. The only problem that I have with it is passing a law that takes effect retroactively.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by phigamucsb
The electoral college exists in order to prevent candidates from disinfranchising most of the states in the U.S. With a large portion of America living in metropolitan areas candidates would not need to pay attention to the needs of people in small states such as, RI or ME. They could focus solely on these metropolitan areas promising entitlements, which in essence would be buying votes. It's the diversity of the different regions in America that make us such a great country, the electoral college ensures we pay attention to each state.

People in Colorado who are against the amendment like to point out that if we split our nine electoral votes into what effectively amounts to one (since under the new system the winner would most likely get five and the loser four), candidates won't come to Colorado or "pay attention" to us.

I say bring it. I'm sick of the ads and the hype surrounding the candidates' visits to the state. To me, visits mean nothing but butt kissing and don't amount to anything substantive at all. I also don't agree with the fact that under the current system, nearly half the votes from the state effectively aren't counted at all. That seems unfair, and I don't just say that because I think Bush will take Colorado. It just doesn't make sense to me.