The electoral college vote and the popular vote are two fundamental concepts in the United States presidential election system. Understanding the differences between them is crucial for grasping the tensions that arise during elections.
Popular Vote
The popular vote refers to the total number of votes cast by individual citizens for a presidential candidate across the entire country. In a general election, people vote directly for their preferred candidate, and these votes are summed up on a national scale. The candidate with the most popular votes nationwide is said to have won the popular vote.
Electoral College Vote
The electoral college is a mechanism established by the U.S. Constitution for the indirect election of the president and vice president of the United States. Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress (the sum of its Senators and Representatives). There are a total of 538 electoral votes, and a majority of 270 is required to win the presidency. When citizens cast their votes on Election Day, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to their chosen candidate. These electors then cast their electoral votes, which ultimately determine the winner of the election.
Differences and Tensions
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Discrepancy in Outcomes: The most significant tension arises when a candidate wins the electoral college while losing the popular vote. This has happened in U.S. history for a number of presidencies, including George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016. For instance, in 2016, Hillary Clinton received approximately 65.8 million votes (48.2% of the total), while Donald Trump received about 62.9 million votes (46.1%). However, Trump won the presidency with 304 electoral votes compared to Clinton's 227.
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Marginalization of Voter Groups: The electoral college system can lead to the marginalization of voters in less populous states, as candidates may focus their campaigning efforts on swing states with a significant number of electoral votes, rather than appealing to the electorate nationwide. This can contribute to feelings of disenfranchisement among voters who feel that their votes carry different weights based on their geographical location.
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Political Polarization: The existence of the electoral college encourages a winner-takes-all approach in most states (except Maine and Nebraska, which use a proportional system). This creates a polarized political environment where candidates focus on ensuring they secure enough electoral votes to win, sometimes fostering divisive rhetoric and policies to appeal to specific segments of the electorate.
Evidence of Tension
The tension between the popular and electoral votes has led to several discussions and proposals for reform. According to a 2017 Gallup poll, 61% of Americans favored abolishing the electoral college in favor of a direct national popular vote system. Additionally, numerous state-level initiatives and discussions about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact have arisen as potential solutions to this tension, indicating a significant public desire for alignment between these two voting systems.
In summary, the differences between the electoral college and the popular vote create considerable political tension, influencing campaign strategies, voter engagement, and the overall perception of electoral legitimacy in the United States.