Dropping out of the electoral college

[Amianthus]

Wednesday, April 11, 2007
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- What's happening in Maryland? On Tuesday, Maryland became the first state in the union to drop out of college. The electoral college, that is.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed a law that would award the state's electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. As long as others agree to do the same. "Actually, Maryland will drop out only if a lot of other states do, too. Maryland's new law will go into effect only if enough states pass similar laws to total 270 electoral votes -- the number needed to elect a President," O'Malley said.

Those states would agree to appoint presidential electors who would vote for the winner of the national popular vote, no matter who wins the vote in each state. It would be a way to turn presidential elections into a nationwide popular vote without having to amend the Constitution.

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[Plane]

Wednesday, April 11, 2007
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- What's happening in Maryland? On Tuesday, Maryland became the first state in the union to drop out of college. The electoral college, that is.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed a law that would award the state's electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. As long as others agree to do the same. "Actually, Maryland will drop out only if a lot of other states do, too. Maryland's new law will go into effect only if enough states pass similar laws to total 270 electoral votes -- the number needed to elect a President," O'Malley said.

Those states would agree to appoint presidential electors who would vote for the winner of the national popular vote, no matter who wins the vote in each state. It would be a way to turn presidential elections into a nationwide popular vote without having to amend the Constitution.

Full story
Article

How is this good for the Maryland voter?

[Amianthus]

How is this good for the Maryland voter?

Define "good."

Basically, Maryland is abdicating it's votes to the will of the voters of other states.

But it would have prevented Bush from being elected President in 2000, so I guess that is what they're looking for...

[sirs]

So, states now wish to circumvent the Constitution?  Well, with so many states' disregarding of the 2nd amendment, I shouldn't be surprised     

[Amianthus]

Well, with so many states' disregarding of the 2nd amendment, I shouldn't be surprised

And Maryland is at the forefront of that bandwagon, as well.

[Xavier_Onassis]

I am all for this. The Electoral College was a bad idea to begin with, and is even worse today than before.

The president should always be the guy with the most votes. That is the entire principle of democracy.

It is pretty hard to argue that this country is better off with Juniorbush and Cheney, no matter what one's political ideology.
Stupidity, stubborness, incompetence and warmongering are never good traits for a leader.

[sirs]

I am all for this. The Electoral College was a bad idea to begin with, and is even worse today than before.  The president should always be the guy with the most votes.

Yea, let's rule by mob mentality.  Screw the rest of the country, Urban centers will dicate to the rest of the country how things are to be run.  Yea, great idea, Xo          Good thing the Founders of this country had a better grasp of how important the entire country is at electing our President, and not just those few states with the greatest populations

[Plane]

I would like to see every state do this.



Except for Georgia.


We could provide the swings in close elections.

[modestyblase]

What a fantastic idea. Though I don't agree with Xavier's assertion that it was a bad idea in its initial inception, I do think it is outdated and no longer in the best interest of the nation.

If Texas passed something like this, the voter populace would go into a frenzy.

[Xavier_Onassis]

Yea, let's rule by mob mentality.  Screw the rest of the country, Urban centers will dicate to the rest of the country how things are to be run.  Yea, great idea, Xo       Roll Eyes   Good thing the Founders of this country had a better grasp of how important the entire country is at electing our President, and not just those few states with the greatest populations

---------------------------------
Excuse, but democracy is what you call rule by the majority, not 'mob rule'.

In what way is ACREAGE more worthy of choosing who leads the people than PEOPLE.

The Electoral College was a bad idea then and has evolved into a worse idea now.

Juniorbush was IN NO WAY the best man, and he should have never won. The stupid sumbitch should be serbving his rightful occupation now--- as a junior manager of the Midland TX Piggley-Wiggly. I envision Cheney as the assistant warden of a minor p-rison nearby.

[Amianthus]

as a junior manager of the Midland TX Piggley-Wiggly.

There is no Piggly Wiggly in Midland, TX.

[sirs]

The Electoral College was a bad idea then and has evolved into a worse idea now.

That's only because you're fella couldn't even carry his own damn state.  There's where your anger would be better placed

[Amianthus]

That's only because you're fella couldn't even carry his own damn state.  There's where your anger would be better placed

XO only thinks that way because he doesn't understand the underpinnings of federal government structure.

[sirs]

That's only because you're fella couldn't even carry his own damn state.  There's where your anger would be better placed

XO only thinks that way because he doesn't understand the underpinnings of federal government structure.

I can wholeheartedly believe that