Currently, there is a controversial debate on whether the US should change its election system. The current election system is based on state winner-take-all laws that have raised some concerns, especially after presidential candidates have ignored some states. Critics of the current election system argue that Electoral College has compromised democracy in the country. Five out of 45 presidents that have been elected in the US ascended to power after losing the national votes popular votes. Consequently, the national popular vote movement emerged as Americans want the president to be elected by popular votes and not electors. Such movement is not new to the history of the country as it can be traced back to 1987 (Dutton et al ., 2016). The desire to have the national popular votes gained momentum in the 21 st century when Americans realized that the preferred presidential candidate by voters does not always ascend to power. Based on recent trends in the US elections, the national popular vote is superior to Electoral College.
A system can only be deemed to be superior if the majority in a country prefers it. Recent polls and surveys have clearly shown that the majority of Americans want the national popular votes and not the system, which has raised many questions and concerns among voters. Findings of a survey that was conducted by CBS News revealed that 54% of Americans want to elect their presidents through popular votes (Dutton et al., 2016). On the other hand, only 41% of people want the current system to remain operational (Dutton et al ., 2016). At the same time, some states have passed laws that ratify the use of national popular votes while others are in the process of making changes to their election system. Thus, based on popularity, it is clear that the national popular vote is superior to the current system that is based on the state winner-take-all laws. Many Americans have realized that the current system has many weaknesses and another effective and democratic system should replace it.
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Proponents of the national popular vote movement mainly argue that the proposed system will ensure that every American vote counts and matters. Specifically, the proposed system will make should that only a presidential candidate who receives the majority of votes ascend to the presidency. Unfortunately, the current election system has made it easier for presidential candidates to ignore some voters. It is ironical and against the principle of democracy when, in the 2016 presidential election, 57% of campaign events only took place in four states, which include Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania (National Popular Vote, 2018). Besides, it is estimated that more than 94% of the total campaign events only occurred in 12 states across the country (National Popular Vote, 2018). The campaign event statistics clearly shows that some American voters are ignored and their votes no longer matter to the presidential campaign. The presidential winner in the US is decided by the minority and not the majority as it ought to be in a mature democracy. The US cannot claim to be the most democratic country in the whole world when its presidential candidate is decided by the minority, which is against the will of the majority of Americans. Thus, the national popular vote is superior to the current system because the former strictly adheres to the democratic principle while at the same time it ensures that every vote matters.
The national popular vote will also enhance democracy in the country by ensuring that major parties, Democratic and Republican, have equal chances of winning in a presidential election (Richie, 2014). Opponents of the national popular vote have consistently argued that the proposed election system will give Democrats an unfair advantage, particularly by increasing turnouts in major cities across the country. However, contrary to this perception, the popular national vote system will give all parties equal opportunity to win in any election because the largest states will not determine the winner in the country. Parties will be forced to sell their agenda to the voters and be elected based on their relevance. Therefore, apart from ensuring that parties have equal opportunity to win an election, the proposed system will make presidential candidates sensitive to the needs of voters. With the current, it is highly possible for the presidential candidates to ignore the interest of voters (Richie, 2014). Just like any elected leaders, the president should represent and champion the interests of voters.
The primary aim of the founding fathers in the country wanted every vote to count. Besides, they wanted every state to participate actively and be involved in political activities when they designed the current election system. Nonetheless, political dynamics have changed, and presidential candidates now focus on a few states with many electors. Almost 35 states have been ignored in the last three presidential elections, which is a violation of the principles of democracy (National Popular Vote, 2018). Hence, it is essential for Americans to change the current election system by adopting the national popular voters because is superior.
However, even though the national popular vote is superior, the benefits of the Electoral College cannot be ignored. One of the main benefits of the current system is that it promotes checks and balances (Richie, 2014). A leader should not have excess power, and the Electoral College helps in limiting the powers of the president. Supporters of the current system argue that it makes the US have an effective two-party system, which is critical to the stability of any country. The Electoral College can help in enhancing checks and balances in government and among political leaders. America has enjoyed stability since the civil war due to the current election system. Also, the current system is advantageous because it promotes a system if national representation. The Electoral College makes it possible to maintain a general system to enhance political representation. Although the national popular vote is superior, its benefits cannot be ignored because they can help in strengthening the proposed system.
In conclusion, every American voter should count and matter in any election, primarily presidential election, which can only be possible when the country embraces the national popular vote system. The current system has failed American in electing their preferred candidates in a presidential election. The majority should always have their way in any elections, even though the interest of the minority should also be considered. Just like in many developed and developing countries, Americans should not be denied the opportunity to elect their presidents through popular votes. The US constitution should be amended to change the current election system in the country, which has many weaknesses.
References
Dutton, S. et al., (2016, December 19). Poll: More Americans believe the popular vote should decide the president. CBS NEWS . Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-more-americans-believe-popular-vote-should-decide-the-president/
National Popular Vote. (2018). President Trump Reaffirms His Long-Standing Opposition to Electoral College and Favors A Nationwide Vote for President . Retrieved from https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/president-trump-reaffirms-his-long-standing-opposition-electoral-college-and-favors-nationwide-vote
Richie, R. (2014, July 7). National Popular Vote Is Good for All Americans. HuffingtonPost. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-richie/national-popular-vote-is_b_5281415.html
