date sometimes if he/ she may be in a “third” party. Many times, these parties fail to materialize in states that, more often than not, are controlled by one specific party. Whether a state has three votes or thirty-three votes, its electoral voters are only supposed to vote for the candidate they have been pledged to (6: 159 -162). This means, in the 2000 election for example, that if an electoral voter from Florida wants Gore to win he has to vote for Bush anyway. He has made a promise that he will vote for Bush and only Bush. Despite this promise, many of the voters still may vote for the person they feel will fit the position best. It doesn’t happen too often (“Electoral College”). But if it does you cannot tell who has done it because votes are cast on unnamed ballots (Longely 103). In many of our nations past elections, the Electoral College has demonstrated its capacity to give the win to the real loser. For example, in 1888 Grover Cleveland was the winner of the popular vote by just about 100,000 votes. His opponent Benjamin Harrison won the election because of his win in the electoral votes. This also happened in 1876 when Rutherford B. Hayes stole the election from Samuel J. Tilden (6: 159 -162). These examples demonstrate why the Electoral College should be either eliminated or at least controlled. Because of these failures of the Electoral College, numerous options have been thought through to prevent further complications. Since the Electoral College is in the Constitution, it would take an amendment to create any change what so ever. If we could change to a direct popular vote, many third parties may emerge into the running (“Electoral College”). Ideas that have been introduced have been trying to work since when it was first created. If the Electoral College were to be completely demolished the concept of direct election would be the best way to go. Under this form, all citizens ...
