Problems in Elections


Previous section:Elections and the Media

Problems within Elections: 

 

Two party and winner takes all system:

Some argue that the two party system, coupled with the winner take all system leads to a nation where only the majority is represented. Hence why James Madison vehemently opposed political parties from the beginning. Should America adapt its system of national politics to be more like European democracies, in which there are multiple parties and each party recieves seats in Congress similar to the number of votes recieved? Would this make our already complicated system of elections even more complex? And would this lead to more deadlock in Congress seeing as there would be more opinions on new bills? You decide which system is best, majority rule and the two party system, or a democratic system more like Europe, with multiple parties each receiving representation based on how many votes they received.

 

Electoral College:

The electoral college some argue is outdated.  Many argue that one of the issues that arises is faithless electors.  The faithless elector problem refers to the fact that electors are human and may not always be trustworthy.  When the electors meet to vote in December they may choose not to vote for the candidate to which they previously pledged.  If enough electors are faithless they could change the outcome of an election.  Another flaw many argue is that the winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency.

 

Information: 

 

Meltzer, Tony and Paul Levy, eds., Cracking the AP U.S. Government & Politics Exam 2010

            Edition. New York: Random House, Inc., 2009.

 

 

Next section: Elections Summary