NationStates Jolt Archive

Besides all the arguments for and against the electorial college there is one key point. Its here, its the system and it wont change in the near future. There is one key thing though. You dont really know anyone in it. I want to change that.

So, I plan to run for electorial college (when I am old enough and experienced enough)! You ask, why vote for someone who can at best agree with us, but at worst make the opposite decision? Its a good question. But I want to ask you, do you know George Bush and John Kerry? Personally? Every detail, have you read their policies on enviornment, looked at their records, read the acts they have voted for. If you say yes to this, you are a true model of what we should partially become.

But most if not all of us havent, where do we find out about the candidates? From themselves, their opponents, or short sections in the media. The first 2 are so obviously biased that I wouldnt listen to them to find any truth. You may find what they want to be, but not what they are. And the latter, doesnt go into the depth for local regional topics and the gritty details that today are needed.

That is what I view my job is. To head a public discussion over the facts and the opinions about where our country is and should be going. If I am elected I would carefully reaserch the details and answer any question posted by voters. I would try to orrange debates where you and others can argue for why we should or should not vote for such and such. Perhaps even get the president himself to answer a few of our colective qustions. That way we can find out what really is the best for, us, the country, and the world.

There is another problem though. Blatent issues devide us. That is how the parties that run the show came into power. Politiicans joined together to support an agenda and formed a party. That is fine, they comprimised so all could have influence on the aganeda, but when he politicians are the agenda we have a problem. On most decisions politicians follow their party by the letter. When we vote we shouldnt have the decision of one set of policy or another. We should have a mix of what we want. You can't say that people in New York have the same needs and concerns as people in a small farm in Ohio, or even for that matter the troops in Iraq. But we still need to be united. How? By values and philosaphy about what government should do. I personally believe that we should vote for the person who show the most suport for:

Giving opportunity to all

An belief that compromise is the way to keep all the concerns of the people in mind.

Keeping America in top shape

Trying to help people before judging

I believe that these values can give us insight into where we want to go and who we want to lead us there. These days with so much info, but so hard to find and understand we need someone to sift through it and show us the parts that are important. A library open to all. If you appoint me to he electorial college I promise to do this and then when we can come to an agreement for what we want, proudly cast the vote showing our beliefs.





This would be my opening speech for a race for electorial college.

Now I ask you, am I deluded, or do I have some truth to this? And if so where and what should I change? And after you read this vote in the poll whether you would vote for me or not. I dont believe I will have an opponent initially, so it is yes or no. Good Reading

I guess I should of put Bush, Kerry or like Republican or Democrat in the topic.

Well I have to leave for the next half hour, but I'll be back to hopefully answer lots of questions.

Is this really how the electoral college works?

That's not how it works, kid, sorry.

To become an elector, you must first vote in the presidential primaries.

Then, you go to your county caucus and be selected as a delegate to your state convention. No speeches needed, just sign up on the list to be selected and wait for the vote.

Prior to the state convention, you will have to make sure that you have your paperwork properly filed with the necessary governing body (usually the Secretary of State) so that you can be considered for selection as a delegate to the national convention and the paperwork necessary to be considered for election as elector for your Senate District.

Once you're at the state convention, you must then make sure to attend your Senate District Caucus, listen to the speakers, and wait for the selection of electors. Someone has to nominate and second a motion that you be considered for election. Once that's done, if you're unopposed, you're an elector! Otherwise, they'll probably ask you to stand at the podium and say a few (FEW) words about yourself. Then people will vote (usually by raising hands). If it's a landslide for someone against you, concede *immediately* (people will remember your graciousness in 4 years ... believe me). If it's a very close vote, you can ask the room be divided (that means people stand on either side of the room, depending on how they wish to vote, and heads are counted - usually 3 times for accuracy by 2 different people). If you have more votes, you're the elector for your Senate District!

If you become elector, then you must find out the laws of your state on elector behaviour. Also, expect the gallup, zogby, and other media people to be calling you weekly for polling information until the election. Your information will be public domain.

In some states, you are allowed to vote how you wish. In other states, you must vote for the candidate who gets a majority of the popular vote for the state and you have no choice how to vote.

General Election happens on the first Tuesday in November, but the Electoral College does not convene until mid-December. That is when you will cast your Electoral vote for a candidate. Between the General Election and the Electoral College convention, candidates may bicker and quibble and fight for recounts and all of that stuff we got to see in 2000.

Once the EC vote is cast, it then goes off to congress and finally canvassed by the Senate in early January - which is when we will know who is to be inaugurated as our President. Between the EC vote and the Senate canvassing, congress may quibble and bicker and whatever, though that doesn't happen very often.

So .... now you know ... civics lesson is over. YES, by the way, you *should* try to become an Elector every four years, no matter who you are or what you believe in. It is absolutely essential that every voting age citizen of the US be as active as possible in national and local politics.

Just remember: If you don't like the guy at the top, don't let him start at the bottom. That guy on the ballot for County Commissioner in 2004 may end up being President in 2024! You just never know.

I know I'll be helping to groom young Stephen Frost (http://www.stephenfrost.us/) to run for President in 2028 and it's all starting with his bid for State Representative. Maybe I'll get a cabinet post. ;)

In response, yes it is the way if you are an elector for a party. But if I run independent then I dont believe I am committed to vote for a candidate. Also any laws are not part of the constitution and therefore may be different when and where I try to run. Lastly, I could also try to be a maverick in some party where even though I am pledged to vote for someone I can withold of change the vote if the need arises.

In response, yes it is the way if you are an elector for a party. But if I run independent then I dont believe I am committed to vote for a candidate. Also any laws are not part of the constitution and therefore may be different when and where I try to run. Lastly, I could also try to be a maverick in some party where even though I am pledged to vote for someone I can withold of change the vote if the need arises.

Independants don't have conventions. It's impossible to become an Elector if you don't attend one of the conventions as a delegate. There's a system in place.

Join it and change it from the inside. Anything else is just a waste of time and energy. I've been a delegate to every DNC since 1992 and have been extremely instrumental in affecting change in not only the Texas Democratic Platform - including having the legalization of marijuana voted almost unanimously into the platform this year - but the National Democratic Platform as well.

Just sitting around trying to be a rebel never works. Non-delegates cannot vote on platform. It is the platform that a party candidate follows. Don't like the party? Change it!

so what you need to do, in your particular state, is to start a movement for a constitutional ammendment to your state constitution allowing for direct election of electors.

THEN you can run

did you know the electoral college doesnt MEET?

I am not against an issue if you read what I wrote it talks nothing about issues I stand for. The fact is that these days there is no reliable information to get about the presidents. I am an independent so that way people can engage in a debate about not only the issues, but facts and philosaphy. Yeah I could be part of a party, but why would people vote for me, because of the word Democrat or Republican next to it. If I lose then I will approach it from a different way.

I campaign to get votes. The electoral college isnt that way in the constitution because they didnt expect parties.

the voters don't vote for individual electors. If you want to be an elector, you'll have to convince a presidential candidate to put you on his slate of electors in your state. If that candidate's slate wins your state, you'll get to be an elector

Uhm, it may not be all states, but in pretty much all of them, the elector has to select the candidate that the state chose...by being an elector these days, you're just kind of playing a role...you don't have any power.