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Voting in the US
Introduction
The winner-takes-all or first-past-the-post system used in the United States is also known as a plurality voting system. It is a simple and straightforward system where the candidate who receives the most votes in a district wins that district's election. The same principle applies at the state level, where the candidate who wins the most districts across the state wins the state's electoral votes. This paper will discuss the electoral system in the US and compare it to others to see which is most democratic.
The US System
In the United States, each state is allocated a number of electoral votes based on its population. The total number of electoral votes is 538, and the candidate who wins at least 270 electoral votes becomes the president. In most states, the winner of the popular vote also wins all of the state's electoral votes, which is why this system is referred to as a winner-takes-all system.
However, there are a few states that use a proportional allocation of electoral votes, where the winning candidate receives only a portion of the state's electoral votes based on their share of the popular vote. These states include Maine and Nebraska.
One criticism of the winner-takes-all system is that it tends to favor the two major political parties, as third-party candidates and independent candidates often struggle to win elections (Gillespie, 2012). Additionally, in close elections, the candidate who wins the most electoral votes may not necessarily win the popular vote, which has led to some controversy and debate over the legitimacy of the system.
Despite its flaws, the winner-takes-all system has been used in the United States since the country's founding, and it has been effective in providing a relatively stable and predictable system of electing presidents.
Different Electoral Systems
Proportional representation (PR) is a system where political parties receive a share of seats in the legislature that is proportional to the number of votes they receive. In this system, the number...…system, voters who support a candidate that does not win their district's election may feel like their vote has been wasted. This can lead to voter apathy and a sense of disenfranchisement. In contrast, PR and MMP systems tend to encourage higher voter turnout as voters are more likely to feel that their vote counts towards the overall allocation of seats.
In conclusion, the United States' winner-takes-all system of voting has its advantages, but also has significant drawbacks. While it is simple and easy to understand, it can lead to under-representation of certain groups, wasted votes, and limited choice for voters. Proportional representation and mixed proportional representation have been proposed as alternative systems that can potentially lead to more democratic outcomes by providing fair representation, reducing the likelihood of wasted votes, and encouraging a broader range of political parties to participate in elections. Ultimately, the most democratic system will depend on a country's unique circumstances and values. However, it is clear that the United States should consider…
References
Ferrara, F., Herron, E., & Nishikawa, M. (2005). Mixed electoral systems: Contamination and its consequences. Springer.
Gillespie, J. D. (2012). Challengers to duopoly: Why third parties matter in American two-party politics. Univ of South Carolina Press.
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