Dump Electoral College System?

[donnay]

Dump Electoral College System?

BOSTON--The Massachusetts House is set to debate a bill that would replace the Electoral College with a direct popular vote when electing the president.

The measure is part of a national initiative designed to garner the support of enough states to set aside the Electoral College system.

It would award the presidency to whomever claims the most votes on Election Day. The bill would take effect only if states possessing a majority of Electoral College votes pass an identical measure.

The House approved the bill on a 119-36 vote in 2008, but the measure failed to win final passage in the Legislature.

Supporters, including the government watchdog group Common Cause, are hoping get the bill to Gov. Deval Patrick this year.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Go to the link there is a poll:  http://www.thebostonchannel.com/politics/23769368/detail.html

[ES]

interesting, but wouldn't a constitutional ammendment be needed to replace the electoral college. I don't think a state can just opt out of it because they pass a bill to do so.

[donnay]

interesting, but wouldn't a constitutional ammendment be needed to replace the electoral college. I don't think a state can just opt out of it because they pass a bill to do so.

Yes, a constitutional amendment would be needed to dissolve the electoral college.

Although, if it was amended this would give third parties a better chance---However, the biggest critics of the EC comes from the American Bar Association--which makes me say, 'hmm..."  I am ambivalent about it right now, I would have to research it much more before voting one way or another on this issue because I do not agree with much of what the ABA suggests.

[Valerius]

It would reduce State power even further, and slip even more out of the Republic mode of government.   The electoral college system keeps Presidential elections as functions within each state.  More populated States would dominate even more than now over the less populated ones.

[donnay]

It would reduce State power even further, and slip even more out of the Republic mode of government.   The electoral college system keeps Presidential elections as functions within each state.  More populated States would dominate even more than now over the less populated ones.

Duly noted.

[InfoArsenal]

This is another one of those idiotic amendments like trying to get Congress to have a balanced budget.

If this passes we are living in a De Facto communist state with computer generated mob rule.

3rd parties are a waste of time. Where would we be if Bob Barr was President--same shit, that's where.

Europe has 3rd parties and it doesn't matter.

If anything 3rd parties just make it cheaper and easier for them to rig the elections because the electorate is weaker and less unified.

Remember what the prophetic George Washington said about two parties dividing the country in half?

What do you want 20 parties to divide the country in 20?

[donnay]

This is another one of those idiotic amendments like trying to get Congress to have a balanced budget.

If this passes we are living in a De Facto communist state with computer generated mob rule.

3rd parties are a waste of time. Where would we be if Bob Barr was President--same shit, that's where.

Europe has 3rd parties and it doesn't matter.

If anything 3rd parties just make it cheaper and easier for them to rig the elections because the electorate is weaker and less unified.

Remember what the prophetic George Washington said about two parties dividing the country in half?

What do you want 20 parties to divide the country in 20?

Point taken.