FairVote - 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



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	February 27th 2006 Group Presses States to Team Up Against Electoral College Congressional Quarterly An article that summarizes the recent kickoff of FairVote's National Popular Vote campaign. February 12th 2006 The Youth Vote L.A. Times FairVote's Chris Pearson argues that one reason for low voter turnout among young people is the two-tiered system of battleground and spectator states. February 12th 2006 Electoral Vote Fosters Neglect of Most States by Candidates The Mercury News FairVote Chair John Anderson, shows how the Electoral College neglects a large majority of voters in this most important of elections. January 1st 2006 Presidential elections all but ignore Illinois Chicago Tribune FairVote Chair John Anderson on the harmful impact of the Electoral College. November 30th 2005 Presidential races don't value state, group says Aberdeen News FairVote's Who Picks the President? report sparks discussion about primary reform [ Previous ] [ Next ]