Question

What is the most troubling aspect (biggest weakness) of the electoral college system? What happens if no candidate wins a majority of the electoral votes? Why are small-population states more likely to support the electoral college system?

Answer 1

The only downside of one candidate receiving the popular vote and the other the electoral vote is the effect on the presidency that such a result may have. A large portion of the president's control derives from the mandate he or she earns via popular election. At least these days, a president without a mandate will potentially lose the ability to effectively rule. Remember, for instance, how President Bush languished before 9/11–the tragedy that lifted him, for both good and bad no doubt. Consider just how poor President McCain would be if he had been elected the way that Bush was.

The big danger posed by this year's Electoral College may appear to be Obama winning the popular vote while losing the electoral vote. The ensuing racial hostility would make the outcome seem especially illegitimate.The popular vote was a virtual tie in 1960, but the bulk of Kennedy's electoral vote was decisive enough. The worst-case scenario in a few particularly tight states will be divisive recounts. They wouldn't have to recount the entire country. This, in reality, would be a mission impossible, and there would be amok on both sides on charges of voter fraud.

If no candidate wins a plurality of electoral votes, the House of Representatives elects the president from the three presidential candidates who received the most electoral votes, each state delegate has one vote. "If by Inauguration Day the House of Representatives fails to elect a president, the elected vice president serves as the acting president until the deadlock in the House is resolved.

Countries with higher populations also have an edge in that they have more House members. Under the proposed deal, however, towns and states with higher populations will outweigh the votes of the smaller states altogether. Under the Electoral College system, although smaller states do not have as much influence as places like California, New York, or Texas