Now this one from Senator Bill Nelson himself. I know, he's a Democrat, but I am with him on this one.
March 27, 2008
Dear Peter,This morning in Tallahassee, I spoke before our state Senate on a subject that has become all too familiar to Florida—the right to vote and to have that vote count as intended.
I commended the Florida Senate and Governor Crist for banning touch-screen voting machines; last fall, I filed legislation in the U.S. Senate requiring that no vote for federal office be cast on a touch-screen voting machine starting in 2012. I also proposed a system of six rotating primaries from March to June in each presidential election year.
But these actions are just a beginning.
When I return to Washington, I will propose a legislative package that calls for early voting in every state, allows every qualified voter in every state the option of casting an absentee ballot, gives grants to states that develop pilot projects for mail-in balloting and secure Internet voting, and eliminates machines that don't produce a voting paper trail.
And, I will propose that we amend the U.S. Constitution to abolish the Electoral College, giving citizens direct election of their president by popular vote.
Let's not forget: it was more than 230 years ago that our Founding Fathers declared that all men are created equal. But the country still had to wait 94 years before former slaves were given the vote. And it took another 50 years before women in America were allowed to vote.
This country cannot wait that long to fix the flaws we still see in our election system. The blessings of liberty cannot wait. The time for reform is now.
Thank you Senator. I really mean that. Why not let the PEOPLE vote. Uh, just a suggestion though, why not start with getting rid of all the insanity of the Democrat nomination procedures along with the superdelegates? Like I said, just a suggestion.
Have a great Weekend. See you Sunday.
Peter
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5 comments:
The election of the President and Vice- President where never meant to be elected directly by the people.
The election of both the President and Vice President of the United States is indirect. The constitutional theory is that, while the Congress is popularly elected by the people, the President and Vice President are elected to be executives of a federation of independent states.
Presidential Electors are selected on a state-by-state basis as determined by the laws of each state. Currently each state uses the popular vote on Election Day to appoint electors. Although ballots list the names of the presidential candidates, voters within the 50 states and Washington, D.C. are actually choosing electors from their state when they vote for President and Vice President. These Presidential Electors in turn cast the official electoral votes for those two offices. Although the aggregate national popular vote is calculated by state officials and media organizations, it has no effect regarding who are the winners of the presidential election.
Hey Doug,
I do hear what you are saying. I thank you for adding the history lesson of the Electoral College. I really mean that, not being sarcastic.
I have an honest question for you. Do you feel this is a good process? I mean that. I would really like your opinion on this. You may very well be right that this is the way we should keep it.
If you do not agree that the people should vote, and those that the vote for should be President, then, when you have some time, could you please let me know why?
I'll be honest. I do not know all that much if it is a good plan, or if the people should be able to just elect who they want without interference of those with agendas. I would love you to share your thoughts on this.
Doing away with it, good or bad?
Peter
Pete,
I don’t have a definitive answer on the subject.
It’s worked so far and is part of the checks and balances of this country. The Electoral College 99% of the time runs parallell with the popular vote, but state by state not on the total vote.
I think most people don’t understand what they are voting for. The President and Vice-President
are executives chosen by the states and its people. Relying on popular vote only, could create a voter recounts that would go on for years. I think a finality of the Electoral College is needed.
Last; remember that Al Gore got 50,999,897 votes and George Bush got 50,456,002, but the electoral finalized it for Bush with all of the Florida Electoral votes.
In the race of Nixon and Kennedy; Kennedy got 34,220,984 to Nixon’s 34,108,157. Another close race. In both races, a lot of accusations fly around about voter fraud, challenging the counts, bribes, hanging chads etc.
The Electoral College sums up voter preferences and puts a nail into it, state by state.
We are lucky we at least have a say in it.
Eventually it may very well become a popular thing, but I’m not sure what that will achieve. I’m sure Al Gore wished it had been. Then we would be up to our eyes in Owls as well as Polar Bears. LOL
As a footnote;
Take a look here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Electoral_College
At the bottom are arguements for and against the Electoral College;
and as usual the subject is more complicated than the simplistic ramblings of Bill Nelson, trying to be popular.
OK, you made some very valid points. The Al Gore thing being the biggest one. But I also see this as a possibility of abuse and a way to ignore peoples votes. I'm leaning towards keeping it. For the reasons you laid out. But it should be interesting to see what happens this time around with Clinton and Obama.
Peter
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