The 2016 presidential election will go down in history as one of the most controversial elections in American history. During the campaigning our lives revolved around news jam-packed with predictions and contentious headlines about both the Republican and Democratic candidates. Most of us were fed up and could not wait until November 8th when the incessant character assignations would finally come to an end. All the while many of us had high hopes for the future mixed with the fear that polls are not always accurate and dreams do not always come true.
Finally, on November 8th, the presidential race entered its final lap and it was obvious that the Democratic candidate was trailing in the numbers. Late in the evening the numbers flashing …show more content…
Bush winning the majority of the Electoral College but losing the popular vote, the argument against the effectiveness of the Electoral College intensified. What exactly is the Electoral College and why was it preferred over direct voting? We all understand that the Electoral College is not a place but a process and that the effectiveness of the process is tested every four years when we head to the polls to cast our vote for the next president of the United States. In light of the 2016 election, while some people are going back and forth debating whether the twelfth amendment of the Constitution is outdated and needs some a major overhaul, others are praising the wisdom of our founding …show more content…
On the other hand, Edwards (2004) makes a good point when he suggests that direct voting has the possibilities of eliminating problems and truly representing the people. There have been several near misses in our history. In 1800, 1824, 1876, and 2000 the Electoral College failed to elect a president and vice president and the decision was left to Congress or the House of Representatives. The election in 1824 was the first election where the candidate that received the greatest popular vote failed to win because the electoral votes were so divided. So, citing the 12th Amendment; enacted because of the 1800 election, the president was chosen by the House. Those small hiccups have not swayed the proponents of the Electoral College simply because according to many the Electoral College still remains democratic. Whether you are of the belief that we need a minor change in the Electoral College or a complete elimination of the process, many agree that the Electoral College states are not equally represented and large states have the
Finally, on November 8th, the presidential race entered its final lap and it was obvious that the Democratic candidate was trailing in the numbers. Late in the evening the numbers flashing …show more content…
Bush winning the majority of the Electoral College but losing the popular vote, the argument against the effectiveness of the Electoral College intensified. What exactly is the Electoral College and why was it preferred over direct voting? We all understand that the Electoral College is not a place but a process and that the effectiveness of the process is tested every four years when we head to the polls to cast our vote for the next president of the United States. In light of the 2016 election, while some people are going back and forth debating whether the twelfth amendment of the Constitution is outdated and needs some a major overhaul, others are praising the wisdom of our founding …show more content…
On the other hand, Edwards (2004) makes a good point when he suggests that direct voting has the possibilities of eliminating problems and truly representing the people. There have been several near misses in our history. In 1800, 1824, 1876, and 2000 the Electoral College failed to elect a president and vice president and the decision was left to Congress or the House of Representatives. The election in 1824 was the first election where the candidate that received the greatest popular vote failed to win because the electoral votes were so divided. So, citing the 12th Amendment; enacted because of the 1800 election, the president was chosen by the House. Those small hiccups have not swayed the proponents of the Electoral College simply because according to many the Electoral College still remains democratic. Whether you are of the belief that we need a minor change in the Electoral College or a complete elimination of the process, many agree that the Electoral College states are not equally represented and large states have the