The system of electing the presidential candidates is fundamentally flawed. Flashcards
Undemocratic primaries and caucuses
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)
Widen participation
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
Electoral college
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
If it works, do not change it - 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
Oversight on campaign funding
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
