Congressional District Method
The Congressional District Method is the Best Alternative to the Electoral College
Another alternative is the Congressional District Method. The Congressional District method would allocate electoral votes based on the winner of each congressional district. The winner would receive one vote per congressional district won with the winner of the state popular vote gaining a two electoral votes.
There are a number of pros for this method. First it would be relatively easy to implement. The states are allowed to allocate electoral votes as they wish. So all this would require would be a bill in each state’s legislature. This would also encourage more voter turnout. People’s votes will mater more because they have more of a chance of swaying their electoral district. This would also be more democratic than the system that we have now, by making each person’s vote matter more equally.
There are a number of pros for this method. First it would be relatively easy to implement. The states are allowed to allocate electoral votes as they wish. So all this would require would be a bill in each state’s legislature. This would also encourage more voter turnout. People’s votes will mater more because they have more of a chance of swaying their electoral district. This would also be more democratic than the system that we have now, by making each person’s vote matter more equally.
The Congressional District Method is the Wrong Way to Reform the Electoral College
The Congressional District Method is the wrong way to reform the
Electoral College. The Congressional District Method would allocate electoral
votes based on the winner of each congressional district. There are a number of
reasons why the Congressional District Method would be hurtful. First, while it
would better reflect the popular total it wouldn't give the popular
winner. Under this method Mitt Romney would have won in 2012 in spite of
Barack Obama receiving a majority of votes cast.
The congressional districts are designed by the states. In some states this has resulted in gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is when congressional districts are redrawn to favor a certain party. Egregious gerrymandering can be seen in states like Maryland which has been called the most gerrymandered state in the nation. Furthermore Maryland’s 3rd district has been called the most gerrymandered congressional district in the country. The Congressional District Method would allow gerrymandering to have an impact on presidential elections.
Furthermore the Congressional District Method would skew heavily towards Republicans, because Republicans controlled most of the redistricting processes in after the 2010 census. Republicans control a majority of the state houses and governorships in country, and thus would be in control of the redistricting process.
The congressional districts are designed by the states. In some states this has resulted in gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is when congressional districts are redrawn to favor a certain party. Egregious gerrymandering can be seen in states like Maryland which has been called the most gerrymandered state in the nation. Furthermore Maryland’s 3rd district has been called the most gerrymandered congressional district in the country. The Congressional District Method would allow gerrymandering to have an impact on presidential elections.
Furthermore the Congressional District Method would skew heavily towards Republicans, because Republicans controlled most of the redistricting processes in after the 2010 census. Republicans control a majority of the state houses and governorships in country, and thus would be in control of the redistricting process.