Preserving Fair Elections

Recently during a fundraiser in California, Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Governor Tim Walz made a statement: “I think all of us know the Electoral College needs to go. We need a national popular vote.” Just a few days later, he took back this comment, but this statement needs serious attention. The Electoral College is often a hot topic in discussions about how we vote in America. Some people want to get rid of it, but it’s essential to understand why this system is important for fair elections.

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is a system created by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President. Each state gets a certain number of "electors" based on its population; there are 538 electors in total across the country. To win the presidency, the candidate needs to get at least 270 of those electoral votes. This system makes sure that both big states and smaller ones have a say in the election, rather than just going by the popular vote.

Why the Electoral College Matters

1. Fair Representation
   The Electoral College prevents larger states from dominating the election. Without it, candidates would focus only on big cities and ignore the needs of smaller areas. This system makes candidates connect with voters all over the country.

2. Encouraging National Campaigning
   Since candidates need votes from various states, they can not just focus on one area. This leads them to talk about issues that matter to different communities across the nation, and this creates a stronger campaign.

3. Historical
   The Founding Fathers created the Electoral College to balance power between the federal government and the states. While some may disagree, the core idea remains. The idea is that it ensures that all voices are represented in our great nation. 

Common Concerns

One common concern is about swing states. The Electoral College often leads to a situation where only "swing states" get most of the attention during presidential elections. In the current election, states like North Carolina or Pennsylvania could easily go either way. As a result, candidates focus most of their time on the campaign trail trying to win these states. While others, like California or Texas, don’t get as much attention because they usually lean heavily toward one side. This can make voters in those reliably “blue” or “red” states feel like their votes don’t matter as much since the outcome in their state is a given in their mind.

While swing states might seem to get most of the attention, the idea that votes in non swing states don’t matter is a myth. Every vote plays a role in shaping the future, due to the fact voters are also voting for important races such as senators, representatives, governors, and local officials.

Overall 

As we think about the future of our democracy, it’s important to understand the role of the Electoral College and how it protects the interests of every voter.