Popular, electoral... how does MY vote even matter, really?

Question

So we have all this stupid stuff-popular vote, electoral vote, yet in reality, SHOULDN'T we "dummy" it down so the way ANYONE is elected is simply based on whoever has the most votes, period? Honestly, I don't quite understand WHAT advantage there is to not simply counting the votes and electing the one with the most... really, in a sense, MY vote DOESN'T count because I'm from California, so unless I vote for the Democrat, my vote doesn't affect my candidate...

Can someone "dummy" this down for me please so I understand why we overcomplicate the whole process?

Answer 1

This is a very good explanation and it is from a reliable source!



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Electoral_College



Hope this helps!

Answer 2

it was written into the constitution that way to help even the power between the larger and smaller states. I was also because many of the framers feared direct democracy.



The system is simple- Each state gets as many elector votes as the number of congressmen and senators- minimum of 3. However the vote in that state goes so do the vote of the elector. Most states are winner takes all.



The popular vote (one vote per person) is interesting but has no real power in a presidential election. rarely does a candidate receive more popular votes and not also get more electoral votes.



Some say this system isn't fair. It cannot be changed without amending the constitution

Answer 3

The electoral process was set up long ago before we had mass media to prevent candidates from spending all of their time campaigning in just big cities. It requires them to campaign in smaller states too because the electoral system gives those states much more pull than they would have otherwise if it was just based on popular vote. It makes the candidates make the rounds.



Your vote counts in that if there are enough votes for your candidate in your state the electoral votes will also go that way. I'd rather see electoral votes split based on what percentage each candidate got in that state.

Answer 4

It depends on your state. In some states, its required that the electoral college votes along with the popular vote. In other states, they can vote any way they want. I live in MA, and I feel the same way you do, but, I figure, if I can help change my state from blue to red, next time around, the electoral college might vote differently.

Answer 5

The popular vote determines the electoral college members.



Is that dumbed down enough for you?