Next Week:
|
||
How the Next President Will be Elected |
||
November 14, 2016 On December 19, 2016, certified Electoral College delegates from each state will meet in their respective states formally casting their votes for the next President of the United States. They vote for the President and Vice-President separately recording their votes on six separate “Certificates of Vote.” The Constitution mandates that all delegates vote on the same day. The Vice President is also the President of the Senate and presides over the vote count to be held on January 6, 2017 during a joint session of Congress. The Senate's President then announces the results. Based on the results of this election, the expected results give Trump at least 306 votes and Clinton 232. It is unclear for whom a despondent Democratic delegate from Washington State will cast his vote. Trump and Pence are expected to be elected. They rejected a direct vote for two reasons. Signatory Hugh Williamson (N.C.) said, “The principal objection against an election by the people seemed to be the disadvantage under which it would place the smaller states.” Our Constitutional framers wisely sought to find a balance between a people’s voice and protecting the voice of individuals. Without this, those with less population would always be subservient to the wishes of larger populations (i.e., California and Texas would have a larger say than Wyoming or Rhode Island and those running for the office of President would ignore the smaller states). The founders wanted to ensure everybody had a voice in the process of electing the President. What we saw in this election is that relatively smaller states like North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa (all with 20 or less Electoral votes) had as important a part to play as California with its 55 votes. Mark, Bill and John
|