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MineralMan

(151,287 posts)

4. Easy to Say. Very Difficult to Do.

Reply to Dennis Donovan (Original post)

Fri Sep 20, 2024, 09:37 AM

Sep 2024

We see people saying this all the time. "Abolish the Electoral College!"

Well, there is a mechanism in our system to do just that. You just have to amend the Constitution. Easy Peasy.

Except that getting amendments passed and ratified by enough states turns out to be a very difficult thing to do.

So, suggesting that is easy. Accomplishing that is next to impossible in a relatively evenly divided electorate.

Bottom line - It ain't happening.

Next suggestion?

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JustAnotherGen sarisataka bottomofthehill

35 replies

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Highlight:

Philip Gourevitch: Abolish the electoral college. Let's stop talking about democracy and let's have one. [View all] Dennis Donovan Sep 2024 OP

What happens if it's a tie? Elessar Zappa Sep 2024 #1

I believe it goes to the House, barring lawsuits Dennis Donovan Sep 2024 #2

The 119th nt sarisataka Sep 2024 #7

Thanks! I wasn't sure... Dennis Donovan Sep 2024 #11

It shouldn't Polybius Sep 2024 #21

One person one vote BOSSHOG Sep 2024 #3

Easy to Say. Very Difficult to Do. MineralMan Sep 2024 #4

All it would take to make it happen sarisataka Sep 2024 #8

Sure. And get it ratified by most states. No problem. MineralMan Sep 2024 #12

We've been toying with an idea JustAnotherGen Sep 2024 #10

Actually, that's not exactly what it's based on. MineralMan Sep 2024 #14

Or not. Voltaire2 Sep 2024 #31

You've got it! JustAnotherGen Sep 2024 #33

The Negroes in the South present a difficulty ... of a serious nature. JustAnotherGen Sep 2024 #32

Raising awareness has to start somewhere dpibel Sep 2024 #17

Of course talk about abolishing the Electoral College. MineralMan Sep 2024 #19

Sure! Don't talk when people are paying attention!! dpibel Sep 2024 #23

Locally JustAnotherGen Sep 2024 #34

winner bottomofthehill Sep 2024 #30

What incentive would Republicans have in getting rid of the Electoral College? n/t elocs Sep 2024 #5

I'm not even convinced small blue states would join. jimfields33 Sep 2024 #6

Yes, because if it was a popular vote presidential election what candidate would bother to campaign in a small state. elocs Sep 2024 #9

As opposed to all the campaigning in big states! dpibel Sep 2024 #16

The country wasn't designed to have The People elect the POTUS ScratchCat Sep 2024 #13

The country wasn't designed to let women have the vote DavidDvorkin Sep 2024 #18

I'm still shocked that the 17th Amendment (electing Senators) passed Polybius Sep 2024 #24

Voting for a presidential ticket is one of the only civic functions that allegorical oracle Sep 2024 #15

Agree, popular vote only. republianmushroom Sep 2024 #20

I vote in every election here in Indiana. Be sweet to Emile Sep 2024 #22

It's fun watching the State returns come in though Polybius Sep 2024 #25

Sure was fun watching Clinton decisively win the popular Voltaire2 Sep 2024 #28

Apples and oranges Polybius Sep 2024 #35

The electoral college mechanics kind of water down the democracy part of democracy, don't they? Beartracks Sep 2024 #26

Makes me feel important Freddie Sep 2024 #27

France. Voltaire2 Sep 2024 #29