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More Options

We hear all too often that voters feel they must decide between the “lesser of two evils”. In part, that is due to the strategic thinking that must be employed in the Electoral system. It is also inherant in the process of selecting a vice presidential candidate.

When a presidential candidate is looking for a running mate, few considerations will impact the number of feasible choices as much as geography. Vice Presidential candidates today are picked based on what they bring to the ticket regionally – they come to the ticket assuming they will carry their home state and possibly a few around it. For example North Carolinian John Edwards was selected to be John Kerry's running mate in 2004 in large part because John Kerry wanted to increase his competitiveness in the South, a region that had been swept by George W. Bush four years earlier. With direct election, the home state advantage will not play a strong role, opening up the option of selecting the best candidate regardless of geographic location.

Vague Values

Electoral Replacements

Electoral Tie

Favorite Son Effect

A Few States Wins

Constitutional Residence

State Size

Special Interests

Power of State Legislatures

Unlucky Luck

Ignoring Your Vote

Electoral College Table of Contents



Home. > Presidential Elections Reform > Resources > Electoral College > How the Electoral College works today > Little Known Facts > More Options
	More Options We hear all too often that voters feel they must decide between the “lesser of two evils”. In part, that is due to the strategic thinking that must be employed in the Electoral system. It is also inherant in the process of selecting a vice presidential candidate. When a presidential candidate is looking for a running mate, few considerations will impact the number of feasible choices as much as geography. Vice Presidential candidates today are picked based on what they bring to the ticket regionally – they come to the ticket assuming they will carry their home state and possibly a few around it. For example North Carolinian John Edwards was selected to be John Kerry's running mate in 2004 in large part because John Kerry wanted to increase his competitiveness in the South, a region that had been swept by George W. Bush four years earlier. With direct election, the home state advantage will not play a strong role, opening up the option of selecting the best candidate regardless of geographic location. Vague Values Electoral Replacements Electoral Tie Favorite Son Effect A Few States Wins Constitutional Residence State Size Special Interests Power of State Legislatures Unlucky Luck Ignoring Your Vote Electoral College Table of Contents	May 1st 2007 One Person, One Vote, Really Tom Paine.com MD state Senator Jamie Raskin calls on spectator states across the country to ratify the National Popular Vote plan. April 17th 2007 Electoral College Reform The New York Times FairVote's executive director, Rob Richie, responds to the NY Times editorial on national popular vote. April 16th 2007 Pileup New Yorker essayist and FairVote Board member Hendrik Hertzberg comments on the dangerous stampede of states to the front of the presidential primary schedule, and the value of the National Popular Vote plan for creating fair presidential elections. April 14th 2007 Maryland Takes the Lead The New York Times The New York Times lauds the passage of NPV by Maryland. April 12th 2007 In voting to end electoral college, Maryland dares to go where Schwarzenegger wouldn't Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times columnist urges California to follow in the footsteps of Maryland and pass national popular vote. [ Previous ] [ Next ]