Election Day Thread

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

I think it's a possibility for Romney to win the popular vote, but not the electoral vote.

I would love to see that happen, because I think it would make the NPVIC pick up steam in a big way. Most of the states that have approved it are left-leaning, but a Romney loss in the EC might motivate some right-leaning states to pass bills.

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

I think it's a possibility for Romney to win the popular vote, but not the electoral vote.

My dad heard this last week.

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I would love to see that happen, because I think it would make the NPVIC pick up steam in a big way. Most of the states that have approved it are left-leaning, but a Romney loss in the EC might motivate some right-leaning states to pass bills.

NPVIC? Is this something to change the Electoral College? I'm all about getting rid of the EC and going to popular vote. It seems like every election since I could vote there has been an EC fiasco. I'm so over it!

Originally Posted by amIblue?

I'm just ready for it to be over.

So with you there! I'm so glad that I no longer have to hear or see political ad's anymore.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

It seems like every election since I could vote there has been an EC fiasco.

Really? Exaggerate much? I've only been alive for one election in which it was an issue, much less eligible to vote in an election in which it was a problem.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

FWIW, since the popular vote became the norm for how states selected presidential electors (1832 for all states except South Carolina), there have only been three instances where the winner of the electoral college did not also win the popular vote -- 1876, 1888 and 2000.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

NPVIC? Is this something to change the Electoral College? I'm all about getting rid of the EC and going to popular vote. It seems like every election since I could vote there has been an EC fiasco. I'm so over it!

It will retain the EC, but it would require the states that are members of the agreement to have their electors vote for the national popular winner. I think the EC needs to go, but I don't think that the NPVIC is the solution.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

It will retain the EC, but it would require the states that are members of the agreement to have their electors vote for the national popular winner. I think the EC needs to go, but I don't think that the NPVIC is the solution.

Once the NPVIC is in force, the popular vote winner would automatically win the electoral vote. Yes, it would be dumb to still have the electoral college at that point, but it would have the same effect.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Once the NPVIC is in force, the popular vote winner would automatically win the electoral vote. Yes, it would be dumb to still have the electoral college at that point, but it would have the same effect.

I know it's not as popular a view these days, but I think the EC serves a very valid purpose. It recognizes that we are a federal republic of states and that the president is president of that federal republic, not of a unitary country. Our system of government is set up to reflect both that that the populace as a whole and the states should have a say. In Congress, the House represents the popular vote/will and the Senate represents the states. The EC, as it has developed, represents the states by having the states' electors elect the president, but having the popular vote within each state determine the state's electors. It's a balance of interests, giving both the populace and the states a voice in the choice of the president.

While I don't get excited about the NPVIC, I wouldn't necessarily object to it because it would (theoretically at least) preserve the balance I describe in that the participating states would voluntarily be choosing to designate their electors based on the national popular vote.