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The Electoral College Needed to be Reformed 200 Years Ago

By Zane Harvey

Wayne State University

Com 2100, Apr. 4, 2018

Someone voting for the President of the United States in Wyoming wields more power

than someone in California voting in the same election because of the Electoral College.

The Electoral College of the United States, or the system that results in politicians

focusing on swing states rather than individually secured red or blue states, is worthy of being

reformed in the 21st century.

The Electoral College totals at 538 votes, ensures states get a certain number of votes for

deciding who the next president will be, and it takes 270 to win. However, it does not

necessarily take the popular vote into consideration.

Ross Perot received over 18% of the vote in the presidential election in 1992, but didn’t

receive a single electoral vote, the Policy Studies Journal article by Bryce Colquitt said.

As a matter of fact, in 1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000, the popular vote winning candidate

did not win the presidency, the Policy Studies Journal article by Bryce Colquitt said. In fact, that

wasn’t the case in 2016 either.

“I don’t think the points system works,” Mohamed Elshebiny said. Elshebiny is a Wayne

State University student originally from Kuwait who is pursuing biology. “But that’s just me

someone who knows nothing about how governments work.”

However, regardless of his self-proclaimed lack of understanding surrounding

governmental institutions, I believe that Elshebiny is on the right side of the political argument.
 At first glance, using the popular vote seems to be common sense. At the second, third,

fourth and fifth glances, that is still the case.

Nick Cowles, a computer science student at Michigan State University, considers himself

to be engaged in politics, he said.

“The electoral college gives disproportionate electoral power to rural states,” Cowles

said. “It also causes apathy for voters of parties living in states that do not match their beliefs.”

Cowles is on point with this statement. However, though I would argue that he

recognizes potential downfalls, there is room for improvement in terms of actively participating

in politics.

“No amount of the thinking and debating really matters if it doesn’t translate into action,”

Cowles said. “I don’t call my representatives, I don’t go to rallies and protests and I don’t

campaign for politicians I like.”

Action still needs to be taken, Cowles said.

“Because if demographic changes continue the misrepresentation will only get worse,”

Cowles said. “Sadly we probably won’t ever see a reform of the EC, since it would require a

constitutional amendment and that will probably never happen again.”

“Probably” is the most important word in Cowles’ statement. While unlikely, it is still

possible, and if the necessary actions are taken, that “probably” can turn into possibly.

The next steps that need to be taken to ensure Electoral College reform include attempts

to pass a constitutional amendment, the Policy Studies Journal article by Bryce Colquitt said.

The same article also suggested laws being passed in state legislatures is a possibility.

One example of a major argument that could be made for preserving the Electoral

College is the tradition associated with it.

 Aaron Beaupre, a Macomb Community College student pursuing business

administration, believes that the Electoral College process should stay how it is, he said.

“People are too stupid to vote for the right candidates so the Electoral College balances it

out,” Beaupre said. “It has to do with tradition and being the twelfth amendment.”

While, shortsightedly, this can seem like a valid argument, it has its flaws. I believe that,

despite what some may believe, people casting their votes aren’t doing so with tradition in mind.

“But still,” Elshebiny said. “If traditions don’t work properly then I think traditions have

to change.”

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