Does one vote count?

[MomOfDoubleJs]

I ask this question because I am confused as to the usefulness of the electoral college in today's election process and unimpressed with our complacency to hold onto the old.  In the past, it has served its usefulness to streamline the process so a new leader could quickly and easily take office, before the days of computers, secure networks and other modern technologies. 

We can have millions of votes counted electronically within days for American Idol, with every vote carrying equal weight.  Why can't we process every Americans vote equally for our leaders?

In some states, the race was very close, even within five percent in some states.  However, every electoral college vote for the state (with the exception of Nebraska and Maine) go to the candidate with the highest percentage.

Does my one vote really count then in the over-all race?

Am I only voting for my state's choice of candidate or should I be voting for my nation's leader?

I am not saying changing the electoral college would have changed the outcome of this election. 

However, if more people felt their vote mattered, more people may vote.

Candidates might stop focusing on appeasing a handful of powerful electoral states and have a broader view of what the entire nation needs and wants.

By the popular vote, Obama won with 52% (McCain 46%, Nadar 1%).  A pretty close race, not the crushing defeat McCain backers seem to be feeling.  It was a good fight between two men, one of which now has a lot of promises to live up to and "change" to implement.

Yet in the electoral college, Obama won by a landslide 349 votes (McCain 162).  Not a very reliable picture of what the actual votes placed by Americans all over this country reflect.

I suppose I am feeling down because my candidate did not win, but this system has bothered me since grade school.  Then again, there are several things about this country's government that bother me.

I still do not feel my one vote counts.

 

[Mama0f3grlz]

Nov. 5, 2008 at 5:53 PM

I feel the same way, I don't feel as if my vote counted at all.

[heydooney]

Nov. 5, 2008 at 5:55 PM

Me too. I'm from Illinois. There's no way Obama wasn't getting my state.

[heydooney]

Nov. 5, 2008 at 6:01 PM

PS I did not vote for either McCain or Obama. I knew my guy wouldn't win - nobody even acknowledges the existence of other candidates.

[MomOfDoubleJs]

Nov. 5, 2008 at 6:07 PM

Yet another problem with our system.  Why does it have to be the guy with the most money or a big name behind him (or someday her) that gets any airtime or public recognition?

Too bad we can't have an American President show with fifty candidates with one voted off each week depending on how they respond to debate questions, hypothetical situations, etc.  (Yes, I am joking, but only a little).

(Original Poster)

[sorgegal5]

Nov. 5, 2008 at 6:10 PM

I feel the same way I feel the electoral voting system allows peoples voices to be out there but not always heard.  If a state is 52% for one candidate and 48% for the other then let the electoral votes go that way.  They should be divided between each candidate right now I believe there are only two states that do this.