Electoral College = Voter Apathy

As we wind down another general election cycle, the gravitas of every politico, researcher and sectors of society who care about such things is sucked into the vacuum that is news of what is transpiring in ‘swing states.’  That’s primarily because Republican led states will not give, what they perceive as an electoral disadvantage by their legislators voting to get rid of the Electoral College.  Instead of creating ideas which are good for society or candidates who are intelligent or sane, a portion of our nation’s population choses to do what is the political example of going for a field goal to tie when you can go for two points and win.  It’s political cowardice!
Not only does keeping the Electoral College exhaust voters in the swing states who decide presidential elections with needless campaign add drivel, it causes apathy and atrophy of minority parties in states that are deeply red or blue.  It leads to radicalization also where the dominant party has unchecked influence over a certain state’s politics. It also skews the national perspective on important social issues. It causes states like Alabama to be able to elect the most inept Senators in the U.S. Senate as of now, because of atrophy from the minority party.  This has an economic and moral effect on minority parties in states to the point of not even being able to fund a candidate who could represent the best aspects of a constituency. The same ‘law of gravity’ applies to blue states as well.  With the potential of unchecked liberalism going so far to the point it erodes sensible values that have propelled America forward for over one hundred years. This observation coming from a fairly progressive writer here.
When citizens feel like their votes will actually influence an election which influences their lives, they will get out and vote more.  Imaging being a Republican in Massachusetts or a Democrat in Alabama in 11 days.  It will not matter much what their vote will be then.  They will only win or lose symbolically. With the most important thing they did this cycle; being to donate to their candidate of choice to get out the vote. Or to phone bank to get people to vote in a far off state they may never visit. To be really honest with you, reader; this is slightly pathological to me. Yet, it is a reality from a bygone era when less populated areas of the country sought equal representation.  And that being a fair concept then.  Yet, it is not the 1800’s anymore. Although, our nation still has imbalance in it’s population clusters; sensible laws have stood the test of time where less populated states have equal, and some researches say, outsized power in congress. Therefore, there is no logical reason to keep the Electoral College.  Although, it is obvious why the modern day Republican party and it’s voters want it. I guess an Electoral College is safer and much easier work than taking the task to groom and present to sensible voters in America a candidate who is articulate, reasonable, sane and competent for President. Ideas and solutions to problems which are palatable to most Americans. Until it’s abolition, concerning the Electoral College, articulate, reasonable, sane and competent voters can only HOPE!
Scroll to Top