Flaws of the USA election system

Question 1

Undemocratic primaries and caucuses

Answer 1

Primaries and caucuses are not held on the same day. e.g. New Hampshire: 5th Mar 2024; South Dakota: 4th June 2024. But all the rivals of Trump and Biden had suspended their campaigns already, e.g. Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley -> Voters’ choices are narrowed or wasted because of the time sequence of primaries and caucuses (democratic deficit)

Question 2

Widen participation in Primaries / Caucuses

Answer 2

Primaries and caucuses engage people to participate in elections to enhance democracy
e.g. Open primaries in South Carolina, Texas, and Alabama - any voters in the state can vote, Semi-closed primaries in New Hampshire, North Carolina, etc. - registered supporters and independents
Closed primaries in Louisiana, Florida, New York; Caucuses in Iowa, Nevada, Colorado (public meetings in public halls) Different forms of primaries and caucuses encourage people to focus on political issues and have a say on deciding presidential candidates

Question 3

Electoral college

Answer 3

Tyranny of minority
Electoral college contains 538 votes based on population of states -> small states like Wyoming = 586K population; larger states like D.C. = 680K population; both have 3 electoral votes
THEREFORE: political power of states is disproportional
Increasing significance of electoral votes over popular votes
e.g. Hillary Clinton had won popular votes (48%>46%) but Donald Trump won the election with more electoral votes (304>227) - some electoral votes in some states do not need to conform to the majority of popular votes
THEREFORE: Presidential candidates win elections without legitimate electoral mandates from voters

Question 4

If it works, do not change it ( electoral college)

Answer 4

Electoral college exists and works for centuries to achieve a thriving US democracy by:
Protecting minority voices - ensure Populus power of smaller parties would not be limited by their population comparing to other states
Ensure equity of states to have equal power to elect a president

Question 5

Oversight on campaign funding

Answer 5

SCOTUS overturned the McCain-Feingold Act (BICRA 2002) by Citizens United v. FEC (2010). SO companies can donate to preferred presidential candidates like individuals (through super PACs and 501(c)4) -> judicial review is unconstitutional as it is not a power mentioned in the Constitution
Super PACs and PACs use donations to support candidates or attack rivals with adverts