One Reason Why I Don't Vote

Posted by mstefff on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @08:03PM
from the self-post dept.

via http://people.howstuffworks.com/question472.htm regarding the Electoral College:

"Most of the time, electors cast their votes for the candidate who has received the most votes in that particular state. Some states have laws that require electors to vote for the candidate that won the popular vote, while other electors are bound by pledges to a specific political party. However, there have been times when electors have voted contrary to the people's decision, and there is no federal law or Constitutional provision against it."

Just want to make sure people are aware of this - because I don't know a single person who is.

( 9 comments | 3 points | on HN )

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by astrec on Wednesday November 05, 2008 @01:12AM (#354265)

An equally little known fact is that at least 24 states have legislation to deal with faithless electors. Your fears are almost entirely unfounded.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by qhoxie on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @08:06PM (#354077)

How exactly does not voting improve the situation?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by mstefff on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @08:08PM (#354078)

Where's the democracy?

"However, there have been times when electors have voted contrary to the people's decision, and there is no federal law or Constitutional provision against it."

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by guitsaru on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @08:36PM (#354092)

The United States is not, nor has it ever been, a democracy; it is a republic. You are electing the electors who then cast their vote for the president. When the elector votes contrary to the popular vote, it's the same idea as a president who doesn't do what he promises during his campaign.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by r7000 on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @08:49PM (#354103)

A republic can be a democracy. They are not opposites nor are they synonyms.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by qhoxie on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @08:18PM (#354084)

I understand that, but it does not answer my question.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by petercooper on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @10:36PM (#354150)

Perhaps mstefff is a democrat (small d - an advocate of democracy) and doesn't believe in voting within an electoral framework that isn't truly democratic.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by mstefff on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @08:26PM (#354088)

I don't remember saying that not voting improves it. I also don't recall saying that voting improves it either.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:One Reason Why I Don't Vote by qhoxie on Tuesday November 04, 2008 @08:35PM (#354091)

So if helping the situation is not your reason, what is?

[ Parent | on HN ]