OT-Could Someone Explain The Election Results To Me

[Country Kids]

OK, we aren't a big voting family and I was actually thinking of voting this year but didn't. Then last night I thought why-I don't think my vote would have actually counted.

I was at a class last night and didn't get home till 9:00 or so. The results were already in and our polls had just shut down an hour earlier. We are West Coast time and Hawaii/Alaska still had time to vote because of their time changes.

So how could they actually say who won if voting was still open in some areas? Even if it was all computerized there were still states that were able to vote.

Maybe if someone could explain this to me, I might jump on board for the next election.

[Meeko]

It all depends on the electoral vote. Only so many per state. At some point, it becomes obvious that even if the challenger wins every single state from then on....he still won't have enough electoral votes to win. Thus. they can call the winner.

[Willow]

Funny, I think I just jumped off that train after being a vote vote vote thumper ever since I could vote......I am so over it all........


The winner of a presidential election is based on the electoral college, not how every individual *actually* votes. Each state gets a certain amount of EC "votes." This number varies by state. Some have only a few (This election Alaska and Wyoming have the fewest - 3, California has the most - 55).

Even if the vast majority of people in the nation vote against a candidate, if that candidate can manage to pluck enough EC "votes" by winning the states with the highest number of EC votes available, they can win the spot.


The EC was developed under the premise that the masses are too stupid to elect a qualified candidate as individuals. That power needs to be broken up and dispersed lest we all start getting our own ideas and influencing each other



It's an archaic disgusting system and I am ashamed we as American's are still putting up with it.......



(ETA - I let my daughter stay up until they pulled that trigger, to say she was devastated is an understatement. We emphasize that sportsmanship is important and supporting whoever is elected is respectful.....she was understandably jaded however that when she is old enough to vote her vote, HER contribution, will never count.....unless of course she moves to a different state that is allowed to have more of a contribution)

[SilverSabre25]

The thing is....that most Americans live with a delusional belief that we are a democracy.

WRONG!

It's a democratic republic. It's even in our pledge of allegience..."to the republic for which it stands."

Hence, the electoral college.

A true democracy would do things by popular vote, not the electoral college.

of course there are other major issues with our voting...such as the fact that it was never supposed to be a partisan system *at all* (that means the party system), and not a bipartisan system either. It wasn't supposed to be a system of "the richest one wins" (which many of the races are--whoever has more money to get their name out there wins it).

And let's face it; there's no easy, obvious, simple, accessible way to get information--GOOD information--about all the races and all teh candidates. Even in this digital age there's no one place to go to get unbiased info on every candidate for every race, every issue, every bond, every levy...it just doesn't exist. Someone want to help me make such a thing? I bet we could make a lot of money, somehow...I'm actually quite serious.

Voting was originally supposed to be INFORMED voting. Hence why women and slaves weren't able to do it...because it wasn't believed that they were smart enough to learn what they needed to make an INFORMED decision. <--stupid, obviously, but the idea was sound. But now...well, people vote with emotions, they vote blindly ("What the hell is a county commisioner anyway? And since when are sheriffs elected? I'll Vote Bob Lawless because that's funny!"), they vote along party lines which is NOT how the system was supposed to work.

Sorry...that got ranty. I hate politics and I hate our political system. I would caer if the system wasn't a joke.

And we're not a democracy. That's the biggest lie anyone in this country has ever told.

[SilverSabre25]

It's an archaic disgusting system and I am ashamed we as American's are still putting up with it.......

Lots of reasons; one being the mass-delusion that we're a democracy and that by voting we are taking part in the "democratic process".

Also the fact that most Americans (the vast majority) are brainwashed to believe that there are only two sides.

And the complete lack of a simple way to be educated voters.

[Live and Learn]

I'm just glad that the actual votes and the electoral votes came up with the same winner. It is so irritating when they don't jive like in 2000.

[Mom2TLE]

This is a link to time for kids that the school sent home with DS who is in 6th grade:

http://www.timeforkids.com/photos-video/video/electoral-college-and-swing-states-54101

It kind of explains it in a quick easy not too political way.

[Sunchimes]

Actually, I think the electoral college was based less on the opinions of people's intellect as it was the vastness of America. Joe Politician is well known in Boston, but due to the distances, no one in less populous Delaware has heard of him. And maybe there is a really great candidate in Delaware who has no chance because there are so few voters in Delaware. That gives Joe an unfair advantage because he has more voters in his area--making Massachusetts a very powerful place with no interest in Delaware.

By forming an electoral college, it spread out the power some. If they had telegraphs or the internet then, it might have been a different story. Is it obsolete now? Maybe, the argument could certainly be made. But, for the situation at the beginning, it was a genius solution.

And even as late as the late 19th century, with such vast territory, how would those in Montana know or have a say?

I am not a political person, so I may have the details off, but it is what I was taught.

[Willow]

Lots of reasons; one being the mass-delusion that we're a democracy and that by voting we are taking part in the "democratic process".

Also the fact that most Americans (the vast majority) are brainwashed to believe that there are only two sides.

And the complete lack of a simple way to be educated voters.

Stop talking!

My blood pressure is high enough!!!!!!!

[SilverSabre25]

Stop talking!

My blood pressure is high enough!!!!!!!

but...I'm not talking!

I'm typing. [innocent look].

And anyway you asked...i answered...

[Willow]

Actually, I think the electoral college was based less on the opinions of people's intellect as it was the vastness of America. Joe Politician is well known in Boston, but due to the distances, no one in less populous Delaware has heard of him. And maybe there is a really great candidate in Delaware who has no chance because there are so few voters in Delaware. That gives Joe an unfair advantage because he has more voters in his area--making Massachusetts a very powerful place with no interest in Delaware.

By forming an electoral college, it spread out the power some. If they had telegraphs or the internet then, it might have been a different story. Is it obsolete now? Maybe, the argument could certainly be made. But, for the situation at the beginning, it was a genius solution.

And even as late as the late 19th century, with such vast territory, how would those in Montana know or have a say?

I am not a political person, so I may have the details off, but it is what I was taught.

Unfortunately, you were taught wrong.

http://www.historycentral.com/elections/Electoralcollgewhy.html

[Willow]

but...I'm not talking!

I'm typing. [innocent look].

And anyway you asked...i answered...

I most certainly did not ask! Don't put that on me!!!

[SilverSabre25]

I most certainly did not ask! Don't put that on me!!!

You have a point. I went back and reread it. I beg your pardon.

But anyway you left the door wwiiiiiiiide open!

It is something that needs talked about though. And some americans aren't putting up with it...I did a lot of soul-searching about whether I should even vote in the election because of the basic way in which I disagree with the process the country uses. everyone who gets educated, realizes the issues with the system, and starts questioning it is the beginning of change.

[Willow]

Even better:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/11/commentary-why-the-electoral-college-system-makes-little-sense-today.html

[Willow]

You have a point. I went back and reread it. I beg your pardon.

But anyway you left the door wwiiiiiiiide open!

It is something that needs talked about though. And some americans aren't putting up with it...I did a lot of soul-searching about whether I should even vote in the election because of the basic way in which I disagree with the process the country uses. everyone who gets educated, realizes the issues with the system, and starts questioning it is the beginning of change.

Completely agree