Vote: Should the U.S. Get Rid of the Electoral College System?

By Tonka Dobreva 12.12.2016 interact

On December 19th, the faith of the next president of the United States is in the hands of 538 Americans — members of the Electoral College. As you know, the United States uses an indirect voting system to elect its president and vice president. Watch the video above to learn how the Electoral College works.

The Electoral College voting system originated in Article Two of the United States Constitution — some framers wanted popular election of the commander in chief; many others didn’t trust the masses, so the Electoral College was the compromise they reached.

During this year’s presidential election, the system has gained much controversy. While Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, Donald Trump won the electoral vote. The Constitution doesn’t mandate that electors vote the way their state voted. Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia, however, have laws that bind their electors to cast votes that align with the state votes. In states that don’t have such laws, Trump opponents are urging Republican electors to vote against the new president-elect on December 19th. And then there are those who want the Electoral College system abolished altogether — a change that will require a constitutional amendment.

People who oppose the Electoral College argue that it’s unfair and that individual votes count less depending on the state where they are cast. Supporters of the system say without it, states with rural or smaller population would have no power.

We want to know what you think — should the U.S. get rid of the Electoral College system? Vote in the poll below and share your opinion in the comments section. We will air the results of the poll and some of your comments on the show!


  1. Tommy P

    No why should they get rid of something that is so stable?

  2. Micah Vodolazskiy

    Even though some of the system isn’t perfect, its the only system we have that does the job well enough not to be rigged, and that is important.

  3. Eve

    I think they should get rid of it

  4. Nikita Bergmark

    The reason why the electoral college was set up was because it was to create a buffer between population and the selection of a President. The second as part of the structure of the government that gave extra power to the smaller states.

  5. Alexis

    The electoral college schooldays stay;it keep uneducated others from taking over the poles. Also people won’t be able to vote for the better of themselves rather than the better of the country.

  6. David

    The Electoral College System is a democratic process created by the Founding Fathers to prevent someone becoming President for simply being “popular”, The Electoral College is the best known system to make sure that the Voting is spread out along ALL of the States and not just the most populated states controlling the vote. We shouldn’t get rid of the system that makes sure we have a functional Executive Branch, and not a “Celebrity Branch.”

  7. Darth Revan Plagueis Vader Bane Nihilus Millennial Tenebrous Sidious Cognus Zannah

    This system is original, and original is best.

  8. Briley

    I think yes because Hillary is mad because she didn’t win the election

  9. Justin

    The Electoral College system is necessary because it makes sure everyone’s vote counts. Without the Electoral College many rural states would not get a say in the election and only the bigger states such as California and New York would decide the outcome of the election.

  10. Hayden

    They should not get rid of the electoral collage because it’s not fair to other states that are smaller they wouldn’t have as many votes as other bigger states. Such as Indiana compared to Florida or Texas or California.

  11. Troy stathos

    No we should not take the electrical college so so uneducated voters from taking over pole.

  12. Bert

    The Electoral College needs to be kept, but tweaked. Do the proportional approach. Do it by districts.

  13. May M

    No. because we have done this for over a century and we almost always get a good president.

  14. Donovin Lamm

    No, because people can commit voter fraud and make the election unfair.

  15. Antonio

    We need to keep the electoral college if not only CA,TX,FL,and,NY would have most of the power. I still don’t know why the discussion of who is the president is a topic it is simple Donald Trump is the new president and I personally think it is a disgrace when Jill Stien and Hillary Clinton want recounts when they especially Clinton tore apart President Elect Trump when he said he may not accept the election results we can see who can’t accept the results that is Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein the best part is there was a recount in Wisconsin and President Elect Trump got more votes

  16. Matthew

    The electoral college was put in place for a reason. It distributes the vote equally to all of the states, and therefore, the people. Without it the most populous states, I.E. California, New York, along with the densely populated Cities, would control the outcome of the election. The Electoral College gives distribution of the vote, so that those in all of the states, specifically the low populated, and rural areas have a say in the government they are a part of.

  17. Brianna

    I think they should because I believe it would not be as complicated as it is now

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