Election Reform Steps
January 28, 2020 at 8:18 p.m.
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As the 2020 presidential election approaches, it is time for America to implement steps for actually reforming elections. One of the first steps is to raise the bar on the number of electoral votes needed to win office from the current 270 to 274. This simply moves it from a simple majority (the 50.1% rule) to a solid simple majority (51% or above) raising the standard that the Founding Fathers set in Article II of the Constitution. There should also be a second step involving a requirement that a candidate win atleast half the states in the Union in order to be seated in the Oval Office.
A third step should also be required, which involves a candidate actually having to win at least a plurality of the nationwide popular vote.
The fourth step involves creating a second set of electoral votes (538) that are proportionally divided based on a candidate’s percentage of the nationwide popular vote. Third part and independent candidates have been earning electoral votes for decades. It is about time that they finally be awarded these types of votes based on what numbers they earn at the polls on election night.
A fifth step involves either having a national referendum or the electoral college or both make a final decision on a candidate who does not earn a simple majority shortfall elections since 1824, five of which have occurred since the 1964 election, according to the chart that I created below based on historical data. In the other 30 elections since 1824, a winning candidate has been able to achieve a simple majority of the popular vote.
A sixth step would be the addition of a none of the above option added to the election ballots.
The steps listed above are part of the necessary ground work for an expanded electoral college that would take shape in 2024, 2028 and beyond.
Alexander Houze
Leesburg
Editor’s Note: A chart accompanying this letter was omitted due to space.
As the 2020 presidential election approaches, it is time for America to implement steps for actually reforming elections. One of the first steps is to raise the bar on the number of electoral votes needed to win office from the current 270 to 274. This simply moves it from a simple majority (the 50.1% rule) to a solid simple majority (51% or above) raising the standard that the Founding Fathers set in Article II of the Constitution. There should also be a second step involving a requirement that a candidate win atleast half the states in the Union in order to be seated in the Oval Office.
A third step should also be required, which involves a candidate actually having to win at least a plurality of the nationwide popular vote.
The fourth step involves creating a second set of electoral votes (538) that are proportionally divided based on a candidate’s percentage of the nationwide popular vote. Third part and independent candidates have been earning electoral votes for decades. It is about time that they finally be awarded these types of votes based on what numbers they earn at the polls on election night.
A fifth step involves either having a national referendum or the electoral college or both make a final decision on a candidate who does not earn a simple majority shortfall elections since 1824, five of which have occurred since the 1964 election, according to the chart that I created below based on historical data. In the other 30 elections since 1824, a winning candidate has been able to achieve a simple majority of the popular vote.
A sixth step would be the addition of a none of the above option added to the election ballots.
The steps listed above are part of the necessary ground work for an expanded electoral college that would take shape in 2024, 2028 and beyond.
Alexander Houze
Leesburg
Editor’s Note: A chart accompanying this letter was omitted due to space.
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