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	June 24th 2005 Senate votes to move up primary Star Ledger New Jersey votes for earlier presidential primary, intending to increase its influence. April 1st 2005 The Electoral College flunks the test in an age of Democracy Human Rights, American Bar Association journal FairVote Chair, John B. Anderson outlines the need to reform our presidential elections. March 26th 2005 Election reform: Carter, Baker tackle it Minneapolis Star Tribune Minnesota newspaper encourages new Carter/Baker commission to review IRV, Electoral College, and national standards March 24th 2005 The Electoral College Flunks The New York Review of Books Book review of George Edwards III hard-hitting book 'Why The Electoral College is Bad for America' December 22nd 2004 Calls for electoral standards mount The Augusta Chronicle An overview of several reforms to modernize and democratize our elections. [ Previous ] [ Next ]