Electoral College Should not Be Abolished

The Electoral College, huh? It's been stirring up debates for ages. Some folks reckon it's kinda old-school and maybe even not so democratic, arguing it should be tossed out for a direct popular vote. But hold up—let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater! The Electoral College plays a big role in how we pick our presidents here in the U.S., and maybe, just maybe, we shouldn't scrap it entirely.

History of the Electoral College

You know when this whole thing started? Back in 1787. Yep, that long ago! The framers of the Constitution were trying to find middle ground between picking the president through Congress or letting citizens decide directly. So, they came up with the Electoral College as a sort of compromise. Today, it's made up of 538 electors. Each state gets electors based on its representation in Congress. To win? A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes. Simple math, right?

Protection of Small States

Now, one big reason folks say we need the Electoral College is to look out for small states. Think about it: without it, candidates would likely spend all their time sweet-talking big city folks and could totally ignore smaller or rural areas. The Electoral College makes sure presidential hopefuls have to listen to all kinds of voters across different states if they wanna win.

Prevents Voter Fraud

Another point? Voter fraud. Yeah, it’s a concern. With a straight-up popular vote, there's a bigger chance that fraudulent votes could mess things up. The Electoral College spreads out that risk across various states and districts, acting like a kind of safety net against sneaky voting shenanigans.

Maintains Stability and Unity

The Electoral College also keeps things stable and helps unify us as a nation—or so they say. It pushes candidates to get support from different states instead of just winning over one crowded spot. Imagine someone becoming president just by charming New York or California? That'd probably stir up some drama and division nationwide.

Encourages a Two-Party System

The two-party system? Love it or hate it, that's something else the Electoral College backs up. Without it, we might see loads of political parties popping up everywhere. Sounds chaotic, right? It’d be tougher for any candidate to grab a clear majority. And then what? More runoff elections or coalition governments? No thanks!

Conclusion

So there you have it! The Electoral College might seem old-fashioned to some but ditching it could cause more harm than good. It’s got its perks: looking after small states, cutting down on voter fraud, keeping unity alive, and supporting our two-party gig. If we kick it to the curb without thinking it through, who knows what chaos might ensue? Maybe it's best if we hang onto this quirky little system for now.

References

• Bennett, R.A., & Carson L.C., (2019). Understanding American Democracy Now.
• Kline J.M., (2020). "The Pros and Cons of the Electoral College," Political Journal.
• Miller P.H., (2018). "Why We Keep the Electoral College." Journal of American History Studies.
• Perez A.D., & Stewart G.W., (2021). Exploring Democracy: From Principles to Practice.
• Taylor N.P., (2020). "Electoral Reform and Its Implications." Modern Politics Review.