Electoral

Is the Electoral College voting system for the US Presidency
ever unfair to certain voters. Many have argued against it, wanting
a straight one person one vote popular voting procedure instead of
the convoluted system in place now. It is an interesting question, to
my mind countered by the question of whether there is a true regional
interest being expressed by the current vote.

The US was formed as a confederation (with ultimate sovereignty with
the States) but like with many other countries has become more of a
federation over time, with the central government speaking for it. On issues
of foreign policy alone, the US speaks as one and often has world leadership.
Yet interestingly, the various States do not all have the same taxation
systems with some taxing income for their expenses and others not. So day to
day life will be different. (1/3 of income for States tends to come from federal
transfers).

It takes 270 electoral votes to win the Presidency, and California has 55.
Each State is allocated votes per the number of Congressman (1 for 71,000
people, these days) plus 2 for the two senators from each State. So
yes, on bare bone numbers, a voter from a small state is heavier. But there
is more to the question.

Eating 1/3 of 1/5 of a pizookie is the same as 1/5 of 1/3 of that same cookie.
The Senators make the difference.

The 2016 election played out in certain States because the  vote given
by polls was very close. Indeed, the popular vote went to the looser. This
election is playing out from different poll numbers. It is more about getting
the vote out... or not.

I remember not voting when I first moved to Ottawa for work, because I didn't
feel I was really connected to the community. That wasn't a lack of civic responsibility
but a true abstention, to my mind.

The one caveat I would bring to the current election might be the infantilized
level of the debate. But then the more informed voters might be  voting more
through their financial contributions to the efforts of the parties in play.

And here we are, in Canada. One party will put priority of currency, debt load
and sustainability; the other on what Canadians might be entitled to. Regardless
of what the current posturing might be about.

source: Wikipedia

A pizookie: