How can the American electoral system be fixed?
827628
you make great points, we need to get campaign finance reform to happen, we need to get the election moved to the weekend, we need the off parties to be given the same access to the voters the Dem's & reps have, in this election I am voting green in any race where removing the crooked incumbent is not the biggest priority, it is sad that now we vote against someone more than for someone but it's where wea are.
445889
They have a lot of problems to work out before a vote. I talked with someone today in Washington that said it might not be until after the election. Both sides want to deal with it at the same time they don't. More pressure put on them by the public faster the process.
897329
The checks and balances of our governmental system will not allow them to do this unilaterally.  The can apply pressure and have more ability to control the debates on what will be done but they still do not have the 2/3 to 3/4 majority needed to do things by themselves, they will need Republican cooperation.
994243
The electoral college is the way we elect our President. Get over it!
1107549
The last two elections were rigged why do you think the repukes will do any different this time. We need to go back in time to paper ballots and a equal election board in every precinct to ensure free, open and honest elections. If it takes dipping my finger in ink to ensure that I do not vote twice and the dead people do not vote repuglican then that is what needs to be done.  Something is wrong with the repuke's if they do not want this type of an election. When it becomes more important that a candidate is elected then to have an election that everyone can look to as fair we have lost the American revolution and might as well give ourselves up to a dictatorship.
276863
I'm not sure it would work.  I think we would have to test easier ways of voting first.  Then find ways to curtail the fraud that will come with it.\n\nBesides, as an American I know how easy my fellow Americans get bored.  We have a short attention span, so eventually all of the voting would be done by people who do nothing but sit around and vote.  Kinda sounds like the system we have now.
387258
The US was designed as a representative democracy, not an ideal democracy.  Thus we have representatives to vote for us in national elections.\n\nThat being said, the electoral college does have flaws and should be modified or eliminated.  But then so should the 2-per-state Senate, don't you think? Kind of bizarre when someone in Rhode Island is 100 times better represented in Congress than someone in California.
800430
Aside from the monumental task of amending the Constitution to do this (basically Amending the current Federal system out of existence), how do you propose governing each "region?"\n\nDifferent States have fifferent geographical, demographic, and geological bases, and one "set of laws" would not cover all.\n\nNot to mention, without states, "popular vote" would decide the Presidency, and no regions other than the former New York, California, and Texas would ever see a Presidental Candidate.\n\nBut if you guys who live in States want to give up your rights/responsibilities to govern yourselves, go ahead - we Commonwealths will just take over...
862532
We don't. Perhaps we did back when it took days travel between the states. Now that modern technology allows votes to be counted almost instantly, its a bit of an anachronism. \n\nElectoral votes could be portioned out and assigned right as the vote comes in, without the use of Electors. Giving each state two extra votes balances out the power disparity between small and large states. This means in some ways that people who live in a small state have a greater say in national politics, however this was done because of the Federal nature of our government. Power is divided between the State governments and National government. The use of Electoral votes balances things out somewhat.
945612
I have wondered that and kind of would like to see that day.  It wont happen until a third party stops trying to win at the top of the ballot and learns to win at the bottom.  Americans will not vote for someone they havent heard of for national office.  I was thinking about how a major third party could have changed the outcome yesterday.  If no party received a majority, two parties would have to come together and form some sort of coalition for the purpose of leadership votes, who gets chairmanships, etc.
274254
Most americans who dont vote do so because they either dont care or dont think their vote counts. One thing that i feel would make a difference in the number of voters in this country would change the system to be a direct election and get rid of the electoral college. Another thing that could be done is what some countrys like Australia do and fine those people who do not vote, another possibility would be to make election day a national holiday like Italy does and surprising ly Italy has the highest percentage of the national poulation of voting age that vote.
231197
There's a problem with your suggestion. It'll allow third parties to get in the mix and win seats. Unfortunately, since Congress is controlled by Dems and Repubs, none of them will vote in favor of it. I like the idea, but it won't pass through Congress.
946635
A republican controlled state is unlikely to charge a republican for fixing the vote. it is the same for the democrat controlled states.\n\nYou now have not an election, but a competition for who can cheat the most. As Republicans control the most states, it wouldn't surprise me if it stayed that way until the people demand better
989484
Like all electronic instruments, it can be rigged. I am in a position where I can confirm that. The best method of voting remains 1 man/woman 1 vote via a ballot paper which has to be manually marked. I suppose the Republicans will disagree with this because it means they cannot use the Supreme Court to help them win elections.
134356
Because the Constitution is obsolete, it was written over 200 years ago. Other anachronisms include the Electoral College, etc. \n\nWith politics as they are, it will NEVER be corrected.
950465
there is too much confidence in american systems. experience shows that american elections should be monitored by independent outsidersas well. who cares. even poor countries benefit from good american government. having only two parties battling it out brings alot of mistrut. three is better to avoid marriage of convinience.
150495
The American electoral system is based on plurality, which fosters a two-party system. Third parties may collect a high number of votes; however, in reality, these votes are usually wasted on a losing candidate. \n\nIn contrast, most European electoral systems are based on proportional voting; in other words, actual votes for a party correspond to actual seats in a legislative body, such as Parliament.\n\nThe main reason an independent candidate can not win the presidency is due to the lack of financial resources. Unless someone like Donald Trump was running, a candidate mostly relies on party fundraising as his or her major financial resource. As an independent, the candidate would not have the resources of the two established parties.\n\nInterestingly, Geena Davis's character on ABC's Commander In Chief is an independent female President who took the oath due to the former President's death. Already an issue that has been brought up, it will be interesting to observe the focus on fundraising as an independent running for election.