Also, what is the point of a popular vote if a candidate can win the presidency by winning the electoral vote yet losing the popular vote? I'm mucho confused....
2007-04-30 16:17:11 · 8 answers · asked by Space Cadet 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
The popular vote is the actual vote of the people. There's a popular vote for each state. The electoral vote is decided upon by people from each state who are in the electoral college. The reason our founding fathers created the electoral college was so that a few "expert" individuals could make the ultimate decision, instead of the entire nation, which might consist of those who are "dumber." However, nowadays, the people in the electoral college almost ALWAYS vote for the president that received the larger popular vote in that state. It's extremely rare for the electoral college voters to vote for a different person than the popular vote wanted. Also, all the electoral college members from the same state vote for the SAME president. The Al Gore v. George W. Bush election was famous because it was one of the only times that some states voted for a different president in the electoral college than the people of the state wanted.
Sorry that was so long! Hope I cleared it up a little for you :)
2007-04-30 16:23:31 · answer #1 · answered by wildcherry 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The difference is that a popular vote rarely elects a president.
A presidential candidate can have the majority of popular votes, but without electoral votes, cannot become president.
Without the support of electoral votes, it is almost impossible for a presidential candidate to become President of the United States.
100 percent of the populace may vote for a particular presidential candidate; but, unless a majority of the electoral college vote to support that candidate, that candidate will not stand a chance at becoming a presidential contender.
The "electoral college" would like the American public to believe they have an input into presidential elections. Unfortunately, we, the American public do not.
2007-05-01 02:05:06 · answer #2 · answered by Baby Poots 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Popular vote is the actual number of people voting for an issue or person on the ballot.
The electoral college was developed to take the popular vote of a region From the districts in that region and the winner was given one vote for the region. It was a good idea when we were having trouble getting the vote in.
Now we can and should have a popular vote, it make sense. Bush went to court to be elected. There would have been no case in a popular vote.
2007-04-30 23:29:33 · answer #3 · answered by Pablo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
dear mucho: a lot of people are but it's an historical thing that has plagued the american voter for ages. once upon a time ago, the people of usa weren't too educated & also spread out, like way out; not clustered in cities today. when polling & during election time, the people weren't considered apprised of political matters and so the electoral college was formed so as 'informed' people of politics could do the deciding for the presidency. once upon a time ago, too, the popular vote was used to decide the electoral college (of peers). this was changed some 100 years ago & now you could win on the popular vote but lose to the electoral vote: it's been done a few (rare) times. the closest to this was kennedy v nixon in 1961. again, i think, in 2001 w/ gore v bush. we, the voting public have been trying to get this changed for years but so far, no-go! the 'college' is made up of invited & select people of political rank that meet only once in four years. i'm not sure they get paid & their membership is closely guarded - so are their numbers. there might be 50 (one for each state & having so many votes per population of each state). the popular vote means as it implies: the general population that votes; those over 18 registered to vote, etc.
2007-04-30 23:40:03 · answer #4 · answered by blackjack432001 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A popular vote is the total number of votes cast for the candidates in all states and whoever has the higher number of votes wins. In electoral college, the votes casted are counted in each state and whoever wins in one state votes for the counting in the national level.
Thus, a candidate who has more votes can lose if he has not won in most states.
2007-04-30 23:23:48 · answer #5 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
here is a link where you can see every state's elector's
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/2004_certificates/ascertainment_georgia_01.html
when it comes time for electors to vote, some states have it open to the public. if you would to know if your state is one of them, just visit your state's secretary of state or govenor's office websites.
here is the link if you would like more info. they have tons of it.
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/index.html
and the ones of you that still blame the court system for bush winning the 1st time around, here some info you must of forgotton. gore was about to step on stage to give his concession speech when a young punk reporter stepped up to gore and informed him of new results. keep in mind , his employers also fired him that same week.
2007-05-01 05:03:11 · answer #6 · answered by caroline k 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One is a fake vote for the people to make them feel involved. (kinda like toy steering wheels for cars)
The other is the real vote.
2007-04-30 23:23:15 · answer #7 · answered by k X 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
how did you ever get out of 6th grade?
2007-04-30 23:52:04 · answer #8 · answered by MR TADS 4 · 1⤊ 10⤋