As argued in your reading, elections are meant to afford citizens control over their government, thereby legitimizing government and providing accountability. Overall, there has been an increase in the democratic character of elections since the Founding, including the ability to directly vote for Senators and in primary nominations. The presidency, however, is one area where the people are unable to directly vote for their preferred candidate.

Should the United States move to a system of electing the president by a popular vote? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of a popular vote? Looking at it from a different perspective, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the Electoral College? Does the existence of the Electoral College challenge the democratic nature of U.S. elections?

 

National Popular Vote Vs. Electoral College 

The national popular vote is the total of all the votes cast by a citizen in a general election nationwide for their president. In contrast, the electoral college is a system where citizens indirectly elect the president and the vice president through a body of electors. The advantage of a national popular vote is that the rights of citizens are considered, and they are given the power to elect or choose the president and candidates of their choice.

Step-by-step explanation

The national popular vote is the total of all the votes cast by a citizen in a general election nationwide for their president. In contrast, the electoral college is a system where citizens indirectly elect the president and the vice president through a body of electors. The advantage of a national popular vote is that the rights of citizens are considered, and they are given the power to elect or choose the president and candidates of their choice. It also ensures that every vote for president is valued equally no matter where the vote is cast. However, the disadvantage of a popular vote is that; it encourages a widespread of voters' fraud and increases the likelihood of nationwide recount. Moreover, state autonomy is likely threatened when elections are nationalized.

Electoral College system, on the other hand, is appropriate since it is the best method to be used when choosing a president. It also ensures that all parts of the country are involved in selecting the president of the United States. Finally, it guarantees a successful outcome of the presidential election. Demerits of this system are that it ignores the will of the people of the United States. Only a few of the citizens are allowed to vote for the president instead of the whole country. 

Electoral College gives excessive power to the states and allows the election to be decided by a few states. In conclusion, the Electoral College system greatly affects the democratic nature of the United States, thus making national popular vote the most appropriate voting system.