[KellyB]

How many of you truly understand the US Election process? Don't be embarrassed if you don't. Here are the over-simplified highlights ( I like simple)




States Select Delegates
Most states use a presidential primary to select delegates. Some use a series of caucuses and conventions. Candidates are chosen at local caucuses, narrowed at district conventions and finalized at state conventions. Delegates from each state go to national conventions, where they announce the party's official candidate.

The People Vote
On the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, the American people vote. In general, the president is elected in a two-step process. The first step is carried out by the electorate of the nation and the second by a group of people called the "Presidential Electors." The system, the Electoral College System, is designed to ensure the indirect election of the president.

Citizens Select Electors
Citizens vote for the presidential and vice presidential team of their choice, but are really selecting "electors" who will actually elect the president and vice president of the United States. The chosen electors of each state will meet on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December to cast their votes for president and vice president.

Electors Elect
A president is elected if he or she receives an absolute majority of the electoral votes cast. If no majority is received, the House of Representatives selects the winner from the top three candidates. The vice president is selected in the same fashion, but in a separate vote. If no candidate receives the majority vote, the United States Senate selects the winner from the top two candidates.

[Lia]

I don't get it very well! LOL. But it's because here it's different - the parties (we have several here) choose their candidates, the people vote, and who gets more votes win. No delegates, no nothing like that.

I remember reading on somewhere that USA created that to make the power didn't go away from the 'elite' and go to people.

[emily_3383]

I get it but i think the whole electoral college thing makes it complicated.

[Yansa]

Very cool! And if you don't get it, don't be embarassed!
It's not the not knowing, it's the not finding out.

[Tony(admin)]

The electoral college system has it's pros and cons.

One huge PRO of the Electoral College is that the US could, essentially win the presidency by only a handful of states, giving the smaller states "NO voice".

One huge CON of the Electoral College is that the US could have the possibility of electing a minority president (one without the absolute majority of popular votes).

[Lia]

The pro you listed sounded to me like a con in disguise , but then , i could have understood it wrong

[bella1342]

I think I understand it... but I don't necessarily like it. I understand how each states have so many electoral votes. I know here in Pennsylvania our primary isn't until April, and by then the candidate is bascially determined already. That is what I don't understand. How is that fair? It makes me feel like my vote doesn't count.

Like anything though, there are pros and cons, and thing I personally like, and things i don't. I'm not really happy with any of the candidates this election. Oh well.

[emily_3383]

Originally Posted by Lia

The pro you listed sounded to me like a con in disguise , but then , i could have understood it wrong

Yeah im assuming its a pro for the candidate and not the country.

[Carolyn]

Canada's system is just like how Lia describes Brazils.
The one problem I see US having is - I'll use an example:
A lot of Americans vote for a democratic candidate to be president.
But they also vote congress full of republicans.
How does any law get passed this way?

[Erika Davis]

I think the electoral vote process should be eliminated. It should be a majority vote and thats it.

[KellyB]

Originally Posted by Erika Davis

I think the electoral vote process should be eliminated. It should be a majority vote and thats it.

I was thinking of the logistics of that although I can't say I don't agree.

[love2482]

I don't really agree with the electoral vote either.

[GlossyAbby]

I do but thats just b/c I used to be really active in campaigning and stuff when I was younger...