November 9, 2000

Two Views on the Electoral College

Is now the time to abolish the Electoral College, or are we confusing the ballot controversy in Florida with a constitutional crisis?

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Let’s Get This Straight
The hysteria over alleged voter fraud in Florida and the possibility of installing a president without a plurality of the popular vote is taking on impeachment proportions. But let’s not let the drama confuse us about which issue is which. And besides, the Electoral College isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Read the essay by Seth Gitell of the Boston Phoenix.

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Ditch the College
That a candidate can lose the popular vote and still win the presidency is the result of an anachronistic law from the 18th century designed to weaken the peoples’ voice.

Read the essay by Steven Hill and Rob Richie of the Center for Voting and Democracy.

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And the essential ingredient that makes all this possible? Readers like you.

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