Abolish Electoral College, Establish Ranked-Choice Voting
- Kylie B.
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
What's the short version of this issue?
A fantastic breakdown of how the US Electoral College works was written in a 2021 article written by Tim Lau for the Brennan Center for Justice entitled, "The Electoral College Explained", which states:
"In the United States, the presidency is decided not by the national popular vote but by the Electoral College — an outdated and convoluted system that sometimes yields results contrary to the choice of the majority of American voters. On five occasions, including in two of the last six elections, candidates have won the Electoral College, and thus the presidency, despite losing the nationwide popular vote.
The Electoral College has racist origins — when established, it applied the three-fifths clause, which gave a long-term electoral advantage to slave states in the South — and continues to dilute the political power of voters of color. It incentivizes presidential campaigns to focus on a relatively small number of “swing states.” Together, these dynamics have spurred debate about the system’s democratic legitimacy."
Where can I learn more about this issue?
Why do I care about this, and why should you?
The current Electoral College system is grounded in racism, doesn’t reflect the majority of voters' preferences, allows a candidate to win the presidency even if they lose the popular vote, and generally undermines fairness and trust in elections. By replacing it with a national popular vote, we can ensure that every vote counts equally, making elections more representative and equitable for all Americans.
What actions can be taken?
Call and/or write to your elected congressional officials (US Representatives and US Senators). A sample email/letter template is below (and can be used as a phone script).
Here's where to look up who your elected officials are, as well as their contact information:
Email/letter template
Dear <Insert Elected Official’s Name>,
My name is <insert your name> and I’m a resident of <insert your city/state>. As one of your constituents, I am writing to express my strong support for two critical reforms to our electoral system: the abolishment of the Electoral College and the implementation of ranked-choice voting nationwide. These changes are essential to creating a more equitable, representative, and functional democracy that reflects the will of the people.
Abolishing the Electoral College
The Electoral College is an outdated system that often misrepresents the true will of the electorate. It has led to scenarios where candidates who lose the popular vote can still become president, undermining public trust in our democratic process. Eliminating the Electoral College and adopting a national popular vote would ensure that every vote carries equal weight, regardless of the state in which it is cast. This change would uphold the principle of "one person, one vote," fostering greater fairness and inclusivity in elections.
Adopting Ranked-Choice Voting
Ranked-choice voting (RCV) offers a practical and equitable solution to many of the challenges in our current election system. The benefits of RCV are numerous:
Empowering Voters and Encouraging Participation: RCV allows voters to rank candidates based on their true preferences, rather than strategically voting for the “lesser of two evils.” Voter turnout could be improved when citizens feel like their vote matters.
Saving Time and Money: RCV virtually eliminates the need for costly and low-turnout runoff elections.
Promoting Equity: RCV ensures that elected officials represent a broader base of support, encouraging candidates to appeal to a diverse electorate.
Discouraging Shady Campaign Tactics: RCV reduces manipulative practices, such as placing decoy candidates on the ballot.
These reforms would significantly enhance the integrity and functionality of our democracy. Ranked-choice voting, combined with a shift to a popular vote system, would ensure that every citizen’s voice is heard and that election outcomes more accurately reflect the will of the people.
As my elected representative, I urge you to champion these reforms by supporting legislation that abolishes the Electoral College and establishes ranked-choice voting at the federal and state levels. Your leadership on these issues will demonstrate your commitment to strengthening our democracy and ensuring that every vote truly counts.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and to seeing meaningful progress on these critical issues.
Sincerely,
<Insert Your Name>
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