In reflecting on the 2012 presidential race and the various media coverage associated with the race, the whole concept of the Electoral College system has forced me to seriously contemplate the implications of said system. While the 2000 election left many screaming that the Electoral College is unfair, after doing research on the issue, I find myself somewhat conflicted.

Damon Cann and Bryan Cole of the University of Georgia explain that the Electoral College suppresses the number of American citizens that head to the polls on election day because it forces candidates to allocate their resources and campaigning efforts to specific areas with the potential to swing a state’s electoral votes to one candidate, leaving many densely populated areas without as much campaign activity proportionate to their population. In addition, if no one candidate receives the majority of votes from the Electoral College, the election is decided by the House of Representatives, effectively taking the presidency out of the hands of the American people.

On the flip side, a 2004 article by Time magazine explains that the Electoral College protects the say of small states and ensures that presidents gain support across the entire country rather than from one geographic region. In addition, the Electoral College forces candidates to listen to local issues in swing states. Many of these issues would not be heard if not for the Electoral College. A 2007 publication of the Harvard Journal on Legislation explains that the Electoral College forces presidential candidates to listen to people from all across the country, ultimately decreasing the likelihood of sectionalism in America. A 2009 USA Today article explains that nearly 872 counties across the country have received federal aid as a direct result of the 2008 campaigning process. The federal government has allocated the equivalent of $69 per resident in these areas to better infrastructure and create jobs, totaling nearly $20 billion.

At the end of the day, it would be extremely difficult to overturn the Electoral College as it would require a constitutional amendment. However, just like any other cause, if enough people get angry about it, something might get done. Just wait for another election reminiscent of Bush vs. Gore…

By: Chad Klitzman