Abolishing the Electoral College: Empowering Democratic Voting

Wegman skillfully weaves together historical analysis and insights into modern politics to make a compelling case against the Electoral College, arguing that it undermines America's fundamental democratic principles. The debate over this system dates back to the Constitution's drafting, with over 700 attempts by lawmakers to amend or abolish it. Despite its importance, many voters and even members of Congress remain confused about its workings. The Electoral College exacerbates our national divisions and distorts key democratic values like political equality and majority rule. How can we justify a system where every vote doesn't carry equal weight and where the candidate with the most popular votes can still lose?

In two of the last five elections, the Electoral College has disregarded the popular vote, raising doubts about the system's integrity. This has created a misleading perception of a deeply divided nation split into red and blue blocks, when in reality, we are a diverse mix of purple from coast to coast. Even when the winner of the popular vote becomes president, millions of Americans - both Republicans and Democrats - feel disenfranchised. Due to winner-take-all rules in most states, only a few battleground states have the ultimate say in determining the country's leader.

As the 2020 election approaches, political tensions are running high, highlighting a clear message from the American people: the current system for electing the president is outdated and unfair. It's time for significant reform. Shouldn't we allow the people to directly select their leader? In his meticulously researched and compelling book, "Let the People Choose the President," Jesse Wegman, a Supreme Court journalist and editorial board member at The New York Times, delves into both historical insights and modern campaign experiences to argue for the abolition of the Electoral College. Wegman demonstrates how eliminating this antiquated system can ensure that every vote counts, revitalizing faith in our democratic process.