The Sneaky Plan to Subvert the Electoral College for the Next Election

Summary

The video discusses the complexities of the Electoral College, highlighting its role in electing the president through state votes, often leading to outcomes where a candidate wins without a nationwide popular vote. It introduces the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NaPoVoInterCo), a strategy that allows states to pledge their electoral votes to the candidate with the most nationwide votes, circumventing the traditional Electoral College process. The plan aims to ensure that the president reflects the popular will, but it requires a significant coalition of states to take effect, raising questions about political feasibility and potential legal challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Electoral College is the system through which the United States elects its president, relying on state votes rather than a direct national vote.
• 🗳️ Each state has Electoral College votes proportional to its population, plus two votes for Senate representation, which leads to varying influence among states.
• 🤔 States are not legally bound to cast their Electoral College votes based on their citizens' preferences, allowing for potential political maneuvering.
• ⚖️ The design of the Electoral College was a compromise in the Constitution, balancing power between citizens and states and making direct democracy unlikely.
• 🔍 The 'plus two' rule means less populous states have disproportionate power, resulting in situations where a candidate wins the presidency without a national majority.
• 🛡️ Changing the Electoral College would require a constitutional amendment, which is a complex and politically challenging process.
• 🔗 The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NaPoVoInterCo) aims to ensure that member states allocate their Electoral College votes to the candidate with the most nationwide votes.
• 📜 NaPoVoInterCo would only take effect if enough states sign on to control a majority of Electoral College votes, allowing for a shift away from traditional voting methods.
• 🚨 The implementation of NaPoVoInterCo could lead to significant legal battles, as states outside the compact may challenge the validity of the new voting system.
• 🌍 The ongoing discussions about the Electoral College and NaPoVoInterCo highlight the evolving nature of democracy in the U.S. and the potential for electoral reform.

Q & A

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is the mechanism established by the United States Constitution for the indirect election of the president and vice president of the United States. It consists of electors from each state who formally elect the president based on the popular vote in their respective states.

How do states allocate their Electoral College votes?

Most states allocate their Electoral College votes to the candidate who wins the majority of votes within that state. However, some states may distribute their votes in a proportional manner, and they are free to decide how to cast their votes.

What is the significance of the 'plus two' in the Electoral College system?

The 'plus two' refers to the additional electoral votes each state receives for its two senators. This means smaller states have a disproportionately higher influence in the Electoral College relative to their population, which can lead to situations where a candidate wins the presidency without winning the national popular vote.

What does the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NaPoVoInterCo) aim to achieve?

NaPoVoInterCo aims to ensure that the candidate who receives the most popular votes nationwide is elected president. The compact requires member states to allocate their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner, effectively circumventing the traditional Electoral College process.

What conditions must be met for NaPoVoInterCo to take effect?

NaPoVoInterCo will only take effect once enough states join to collectively hold a majority of the Electoral College votes. This ensures that when implemented, the compact can effectively determine the outcome of presidential elections.

What are the potential consequences of implementing NaPoVoInterCo?

If NaPoVoInterCo is successfully implemented, it could lead to significant political challenges, including legal battles and pushback from states not participating in the compact. This could fundamentally alter how presidential elections are conducted in the U.S.

Why do some people oppose the Electoral College?

Critics argue that the Electoral College is undemocratic because it can result in a president being elected without winning the majority of the popular vote. They also contend that it gives disproportionate power to smaller states, undermining the principle of equal representation.

What historical context led to the establishment of the Electoral College?

The Electoral College was established as a compromise during the Constitutional Convention, balancing the influence of populous states with less populous ones. The founders feared direct democracy and opted for a republic where representatives would make decisions on behalf of the citizens.

What is the main argument in favor of maintaining the Electoral College?

Supporters of the Electoral College argue that it protects the interests of smaller states and ensures that presidential candidates pay attention to all parts of the country, not just populous urban areas. They believe it maintains the federal structure of the U.S. government.

How has the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact progressed so far?

NaPoVoInterCo has garnered enough support to be halfway to the trigger point needed for implementation, with some states already having passed laws in support of it. However, the actual passage may face challenges as the reality of voting against citizens' preferences becomes clearer.