MUST-WATCH: Effort to ELIMINATE Electoral College CATCHES FIRE

Democracy Watch episode 47: Marc Elias discusses the viability of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
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[@jeannerogers7085]

The Electoral college has saddled us with two catastrophic Republican presidents in this young century.We cannot afford another. one.

[@zzzT.]

Top comment 🤠 👌

[@user-ly6pl5ot9m]

Eh, Bush is pretty standard old GOP, comparing to satanist Conald Dump, George's saint.

[@robertrissearbeobie5612]

W and Fat Nixon won elections that they truly did not win. In W's case when all votes were finally counted, he lost the Electoral College, but the "state's rights" Supreme Court impeded in the election and US are left with this as reason to disband the EC and to call out the hypocritical Supreme Clown Court for the political arm of the regressive party (republicans). US were fucked by both of these morons.

[@louisecrans5133]

It's true. Bush junior and tRUMP both weak presidents. tRUMP was disastrous for our country.

[@kti5682]

By today's standards the younger Bush was not catastrophic.

[@MarciaThomas-dh9tm]

The fact that a presidential candidate gets 2 million more votes nationwide and can still lose is insane. Wouldn't happen in any other modern democracy.

[@johnwattdotca]

Are you referring to Al Gore losing to George W. Bush and the Electoral College?

[@Power_to_the_people567]

@@johnwattdotcaAl Gore should have won. There was foul play on his election. But he did the adult thing and coincided the election without demonizing the media, or sending a mob to the capitol to top the certification

[@MarciaThomas-dh9tm]

@@johnwattdotca No

[@cbpd89]

Al Gore & Hilary Clinton both won the popular vote but not the electoral college.

[@Durpanny]

​@@MarciaThomas-dh9tmcrazy how it happened more than once innit?

[@cbjones2212]

The fact that the GOP never even considers campaigning for the popular vote is the biggest tell.

[@dsmith9964]

Democrats don't campaign for a 'national popular vote' either because it simply doesn't exist. Since the primary constituents of the federal government are the states, and that the federal government derives its powers from the states and from the people through the states, it is perfectly logical that the office of Presidency to be elected by the states via the electoral college. 🤔 We do not directly elect the office of the President because the President IS NOT and was never intended to be directly representative of or responsive to popular will or to population based interests. 🤔

[@Amick44]

They know whose advantage it works for.

[@dsmith9964]

@Amick44 Once again, there is no 'national popular vote' for the office of the President. The electoral college system favors both major parties almost equally.

[@cbjones2212]

@@dsmith9964 Two things that stand out. 'Almost' ?? And it's the step *before* the EC that's the problem. Why, for example should anyones vote be considered as a fraction of one?

[@dsmith9964]

@cbjones2212 Everyones vote for Presidential electors is counted *equally* within each state. No ones vote is counted as a fraction of anothers vote. Each state is represented both proportionally and equally in the electoral college just like states are represented both proportionally and equally in Congress. That should not be a problem if you understand how the federal structure of government works. 🤔

[@sylviahoffman9440]

Eliminating the effect of the Electoral College in favor of the popular vote will in essence make gerrymandering moot! Way to go. Keep this sensible plan going. 💙💙💙

[@royblack7305]

The Electoral College vote needs to be abolished.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

It's designed to cause minority rule, so yes it needs to go.

[@gildedbear5355]

That's what this does. The Electoral College is, if my memory serves me, in the Constitution so would require an amendment to change or remove it. This plan avoids that entirely since the states can determine how their Electors are selected.

[@bretEdwards]

Yep, along with the filibuster, or at least this passive, no-show voting to allow one senator to stall anything in the senate. Both have GOT to go!

[@lindarockafellow5058]

Especially the reason why it was enacted. Pure racism!

[@scorpogee6280]

@@gildedbear5355 Remember that the EC was created by white men for white men. Let us not forget women and blacks, (slaves) couldn't vote. So the EC was very racist from the beginning.

[@paulaswanson13]

The Electoral College is an outmoded system in a day of immediate global access. The popular vote should be the benchmark of our system.

[@michaelgillespie1206]

The electoral college needs to be gone, it was them that put Trump in office, he lost the popular vote by almost three million, then he lost to Joe Biden by almost seven million.

[@Brian-uy2tj]

Thank Alexander Hamilton for the electoral college. At the continental congress he was pushing for a "King for life" system, thinking he might be the first one. The electoral college was the compromise to get him to sign on to the constitution. He went for it because the electoral college heavily favored the wealthy rising to power.

[@curiousnerdkitteh]

That's what ACTUAL democratic countries do. The people's vote.

[@dimitristergiou8882]

The USA is the only country that the popular vote doesn’t count.

[@Auntiep61]

Unfortunately, the electoral college is in the constitution.

[@utethornburg7715]

Electoral college has to go, or we will never have a true democracy

[@victoriapowell6318]

Aren't you Swedish or something?

[@janisripple754]

Thank you for Working to Ending Electoral College-We Need Popular Vote Nationwide!

[@tayzonday]

We’d have had President Gore and President Hillary if America was a republic that upheld democracy.

[@N8T1V3-5F]

Sometimes I try to imagine what life would be like if Gore would have pushed back but it's too depressing

[@JeanGillespie-fp7rs]

Breaks my heart! Will never get over that we were screwed!!!😢😢😢

[@JeanGillespie-fp7rs]

​Do not umderstand why he did not challenge it!!!

[@N8T1V3-5F]

@veronicaa.1416 exactly we saw how they manipulated the FBI to reopen right before the election plus their consistent voter suppression in low income neighborhoods and neighborhoods with a high population of folks of color

[@Zalzany]

@veronicaa.1416 I am still convinced Hilary would been a lateral evil instead of trump. I hated both but I really doubt Hilary would been any good, I mean at this point elected the dog Commander president would been better in 2016...

[@BlueTsunami.2024]

Trump shouldn’t be allowed to run a hotdog stand let alone a country.

[@archerpence]

Fuck that. *Make* him run a hotdog stand. He gets no employees.

[@akizeta]

How about a banana stand?

[@loraldinp2624]

He would declare his 7th bankruptcy.

[@cogitatorcat2306]

The Hot Dog Stand would be subject to disgorgement under the New York Civil Fraud case. Much like it’s customers.

[@DebbieAppelhans]

14th amendment 3rd Trump out of business for good Trump is very toxic dangerous evil 😈 Trump need locked up Trump is very toxic dangerous to the world 🌎 Trump need locked up now 😊

[@katherinecrossman8521]

I have felt since I was in high school in the 1960s, that we had trains , planes , cars , trucks , telephones , tvs , radios , telegrams , that we should eliminate the electoral college . After all , these are the means of transportation, and communication , our founding fathers did not have .

[@stevenbuck07]

Finally. Finally we hear serious talk about a popular vote being used instead of a system that doesn't even reflect what ppl want. We've known for a good long time that the electoral college is a bad idea.

[@donnaholladay494]

Over the last few years I’ve come to dislike the electoral college. If you live in a state that always leans towards one party, if you vote for the opposite party for president your vote NEVER counts. If we just go with the popular vote, everyone’s vote counts, just like in all the other political offices we vote for.

[@spaceynb]

This is not a result of the electoral college but a result of how your state assigns its electors (winner take all). States can choose to assign their electors in proportion to the vote count results, which would take into account even minority opinions in that state. States can fix this on their own! Without a constitutional amendment!

[@donnaholladay494]

@@spaceynb true and this would probably be a more acceptable way to affect change. I was just saying that on the whole the electoral college is bad.

[@spaceynb]

@@donnaholladay494 It definitely sucks that we're saddled with it, I just try to focus on fixes that could be done because an amendment is so unlikely to happen

[@antondovydaitis2261]

Worse, because if the Electoral College doesn't certify a winner, the election goes to the House at one vote per State delegation. All it would take is for the Republican Speaker to adjourn the House until after the deadline for certification has passed.

[@donnaholladay494]

@@antondovydaitis2261 True

[@bonnirhr3580]

I like this national popular vote. Being from a totally gerrymandered state where we have no popular consideration, its about time Democrats can be acknowledged for our majority.

[@vitushoffmann7890]

no gerrymandering in a presidential election.

[@mikegoetz3184]

The majority of voters are declared as independent

[@alumpyhorse]

eliminate the electoral college, adopt ranked choice voting- Keep fighting, peeps! 💙🗳️

[@vitushoffmann7890]

@@alumpyhorse never happen as it would needs a 2/3 majority in congres.

[@petesmith9472]

Except in gerrymandered states, republicans nor Democrats win elections….unaligned voters decide elections

[@DillyWillow]

ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE NEEDS TO GO…. I always thought it was crap…. Time for the REAL count… 💙💙

[@victoriapowell6318]

And we always thought we don't want YOUR politics dominating the country.

[@user-cz5lj2vx1f]

Republican politicians should be regularly challenged about NOT supporting One Person,One Vote and the Popular Vote as the way we choose presidents.

[@barbaram5787]

If the popular vote chose the winner the republican party would have to actually start working for the people to win the office of president.

[@lawsonj39]

Maybe...but then they wouldn't be Republicans anymore. More likely they'd get their donors to completely monopolize the media (even more than now, if that's possible), and they'd double down on voter intimidation and gerrymandering.

[@altosack]

Why do you assume that? The Democrats don’t have to. Edit: Of course, the reason the Democrats don’t have to is the Republicans are so bad. So, in a sense, it’s _all_ the fault of the Republicans.

[@MikeF-90909]

Never happen.

[@Gary-xm1gy]

Oh you mean they have to be honest and work for the people that elected them and actually walk the walk instead of talk the talk

[@barbaram5787]

@altosack Because the Democrates usually win the popular vote in the presidential election. Hillary won the popular vote over tRump.

[@ameri-canpickerz3480]

even when I was a kid I thought the electoral count was unfair, I couldn't believe my vote didn't actually count .

[@boycefenn]

It does count, it's important that we not forget that! It doesn't count as much as it should but it's still critical that we all vote

[@mjc0961]

@@boycefenn It literally does not count. Look at the results of the 2016 election. We the people elected Hilary Clinton, but instead we got Donald Trump. Our votes *_DO NOT COUNT_* So miss us all with your bullcrap.

[@FireElement7]

I've felt the same way, but it's still important to vote. I do hope this continues to gain traction and becomes reality.

[@ironspaghett]

On the other hand, people outside of major population centers wouldn't feel represented otherwise Because they do have different ideas and morals and viewpoints and that does need to be taken into consideration Which is the purpose of the flawed electoral system

[@Kimberly-dt4ko]

@@ironspaghett But they would still be overrepresented. Those rural states still get two Senators. In the Dakotas, each Senator represents about 300k people. In the larger states, each Senator represents millions of people. Every state gets at least one representative even if the state doesn't have the same population as the average congressional district. Having the presidency go to the winner of the popular vote would actually be more fair since it is the only part of government that would be based on the national electorate as a whole.

[@devahanan3266]

Why can't it be fare, one vote per person??? Abolish the electoral college!!

[@dsmith9964]

The office of the Presidency is not and was never intended to be directly representative of or responsive to popular will or to population based interests. If it were, we would surely have a direct popular vote for President. Since the primary constituents of the federal government are the STATES, it is perfectly logical that the states elect the offices of the President and the Vice President.

[@grouchomarxist666]

I think you mean "fair." I'd hate to be part of a system that demands a fee to cast one's vote.

[@gregwalker6281]

What are you talking about ​@@grouchomarxist666

[@victoriapowell6318]

Because we do not want Commie-fornia politics at the national level. That's why.

[@lindagunkle8273]

Electoral College needs to Go!

[@dmercury292]

I’m really liking this idea. The majority should rule not the minority.

[@Ratboy2004]

Electoral votes were a states way of controlling the government regardless of what the people wanted. Trump became president for this very reason.

[@dajosh42069]

I mean... so long as *you're* in the majority. I whole-heartedly dislike the Electoral collage... But I don't see this idea as one that is really going to go the distance. Having said that, I'm not always right. I am, in fact, rarely right. :P So I guess we'll see where this goes.

[@royblack7305]

@@dajosh42069 even if you are not !

[@j3productions645]

Love this either way. Every vote would actually matter

[@lawsonj39]

Republican "logic."@@dajosh42069

[@RC-gg4xs]

Electoral college definitely needs to be removed.

[@antondovydaitis2261]

The danger of amending the Constitution is that it opens the door for a full Constitutional Convention, which could be disastrous.

[@raeishimura]

@@antondovydaitis2261 You realize the constitution has been amended before right? in fact, it's been done 27 times in American history. What do you think the First Amendment is? the Second? the Fifth? the Fourteenth? don't tell me you think they were originally written into the constitution to begin with. Those were actually changes and additions to the constitution that came AFTER it was written. there are 27 Amendments, so i seriously don't think it would be as much a disaster as you might think. There is precedent after all

[@nevermorefrompast-qx5wb]

@@antondovydaitis2261 sorry same was used to stop equal rights amd. THIS has ot happen to SAVE democracy from fasism

[@user-mf7xm2uz3z]

@@antondovydaitis2261 You play games on YT. I guess you identify with the game players, the GOP. You may be right, but you don't explain, perhaps you just heard this, yet repeat it and not know how this would be true. Explain please, as a robot would need to add it to their system. Perhaps.💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@letmebetheoned5648]

Exactly. 👍

[@CalliopeLyric]

I'm glad that you do these regular segments with Marc Elias. He's truly a hero & it's crazy that mainstream media barely covers his important work.

[@Elizabeth-arb22]

Marc Elias, you are a hero! Thank you for not turning to the dark side. Brian Tyler Cohen, I admire you so much for discussing and helping us understand important issues. You're a hero too! Thank you.

[@cathyyonce8492]

Get rid of the electoral votes. Popular should be the winner..... I've always said that. President's that we vote in, in popular should win, not electoral. 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

[@rustythecrown9317]

yeah well that's what democracy is... not the american sh!t show of electoral colleges.

[@rustythecrown9317]

@@mal2ksc you're a republic that never calls itself a republic but goes on about how great a democracy you are... either way , your elections are a joke. Actually you are a republic... a Banana republic.

[@JoannHopper-xf7wl]

When the popular vote doesn't decide the winner, it discourages us to get out and vote. As if our vote really didn't count

[@kimthomas781]

🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@michaellombardi5946]

Always informative and never dragging on updates. Nice job, Mark. Nice team Brian.

[@vaderbaby]

I've said for decades that we no longer need an electoral college. I figured the GOP wouldn't want that because they'd probably never get another President again.

[@Amick44]

They agree with you.

[@jonathansmith4968]

Being that the republicans primarily represent the rural vote, that's the same as saying the rural population will never be represented in the presidency again. They should just accept that they will forever be subject to their big-city overloads. Remember, the electoral college has ensured a nearly perfect 50/50 split for over a hundred years. But apparently that's unfair, its far more fair if its 100/0 split in favor of the democrats...

[@noxnext]

Ever since I learned about American politics over 20 years ago back in school, I couldn’t understand why they would keep this totally outdated, complicated and unfair system of the electoral college! About time the USA would change this!

[@tomricketts7821]

Just what these guys are saying it’s about rigging the system

[@robertrissearbeobie5612]

Rich fucks did not trust US.

[@michlo3393]

Like most things in America, it was a great idea at the time, but then we all just forgot about it.

[@HeavyMetalMouse]

There is an old parable about a tribe who, by tradition, required anyone chosen to a leadership role to undergo a gruelingly painful set of ordeals, including tests of endurance against physical pain, humiliations, the works. Once every couple generations, inevitably, someone would stand up and say "This system we have is barbaric! There is no reason someone who would be our leader should have to be put through this. It proves nothing! It may have been important back in the day to have the leader prove themselves in this way, but today we value other qualities in our leaders that are more important!" But the system would not change just because they complained - the only way to change the rule was to become the leader yourself, going through those ordeals yourself, then change the rule once you were in charge. Oddly enough, nobody who ever managed to successfully go through the ordeals ever actually chose to change the ordeals afterward, no matter how vocal they had been about their unfairness, unnecessariness, and barbarism in the past. Each would find some reason to change their position and come to believe that this, the system that put them in power, was coincidentally a just and fair and necessary system, that should be preserved.

[@dsddala467]

We really need to change our two party system too. I like the idea of power sharing agreements in countries with more than 2 parties. It forces people to be reasonable. Something the US sorely needs. Our current system is "Us," against " "Them, and that is at the heart of the vitriol in our political system and society.

[@MarciaThomas-dh9tm]

One vote for everyone, whomever gets the most votes wins. How hard is that.

[@johnwattdotca]

As you know, voting is very difficult in America. It's one thing to be a member of a political party, it's another to be a registered voter as voting for only one party. Wow, that leaves out voting for anyone who is saying what you want to hear.

[@Utoobeedoo]

About as hard as proper grammar is for some people. Try “whoever”.

[@RJ-go3sn]

@@Utoobeedoo Whomever is the appropriate object pronoun in this case......

[@MarciaThomas-dh9tm]

@@Utoobeedoo As an English language arts teacher of many years, go back to school!

[@elisabethmolatore9071]

​@@RJ-go3snit's whoever. The word is not an object; it is the subject of the word "gets." So whoever gets ... is correct.

[@itsthedawnofanewlife5313]

You can't say that everyone's vote counts unless the electoral vote is abolished. Popular vote is the ONLY way.

[@jonathansmith4968]

That's an overly simplistic view. if democracy is only fair when everyone is equally represented, then we would need to abolish the senate. California, with 39 million people gets 2 senators, the same 2 senators as Wyoming with it's 500,000 people. Wyoming citizens gets 60 TIMES more representation in the senate as California? How is that fair in your viewpoint?

[@hagiasmos314]

@@jonathansmith4968 As a Californian, I think it only right that we reform or abolish the Senate. Nothing simplistic about that (other than perhaps overlooking the difficulties in accomplishing it). 🙂

[@gagatube]

No-one does say that everyone's vote counts (the same) in the Presidential elections, that's the point of the Electoral College. That way the beliefs and choices of, for example, the 14+ million registered voters in Florida do not (entirely) swamp the hopes and aspirations of, say, the roughly half a million registered voters in Alaska. You live in a Union of States, not in a homogeneous country, and the Union was formed on condition that all the States must have some meaningful say in the election of the President and Vice President.

[@jonathansmith4968]

@@hagiasmos314 then smaller states would have near zero say in the government. No other union is run this way (see EU for example) and there would be no reason for the smaller states to wish to remain in the union.

[@hagiasmos314]

@@jonathansmith4968 Many of those small states-unlike California-likely send less to Washington than they get back. But I do hear you. I’m not so greedy as I pretend to be. I’m glad we’re in a position to help out.

[@suzdeangelo2314]

Electoral College is obsolete. Popular vote needs to be enacted.

[@scottwhallin2461]

Amen

[@darrellslater4048]

When I studied civics in high school, I could see that the Electoral College was an archaic system and needed to be changed. The part that really stuck out was how the Electors from your State could vote against the will of the people, no matter how high the vote count was. The Electoral College needs to go!

[@juliemissick4206]

Same thing for me when I was in high school.

[@axelthegreat9]

IIRC some states have a law requiring them to vote as they should, where others have a fine. Meaning they've put a price on disregarding the popular vote. It's disgusting.

[@blackjacktrial]

It was designed as a failsafe AGAINST democratic populism. e.g. if the enlightened elites could see that appointing Trump was a terrible idea, the electors could appoint Clinton as president instead. Yes, this is what the founding fathers built into the Constitution, because they didn't trust you the people.

[@VTSteve]

Right on Darrell, I always felt that way as well, it's just common sense, too bad there is so little of that evident in our so called "leaders", who seem to be driven by self interest and power more than anything else. Disgusts me.

[@brianschnurman4222]

“The part that really stuck out was how the Electors from your state could vote against the will of the people”. Isn’t that exactly what this plan is codifying? If a state votes for a particular candidate but that candidate loses the popular vote, the Electors from that state can ignore the will of the people and vote against what their state wants. I believe if the Electoral College goes… our Union won’t be far behind. This is really dangerous territory for the future of the country. Far more dangerous than having to put up with the wrong candidate for 4 years.

[@beckymontgomery210]

As a Texas resident, you are spot on when you say the Rs here won't sign on to anything that would give all the voters a say.

[@packy57]

We have needed this for years. This is how it should have been done all along.

[@sherrillsturm7240]

Electoral college was created in a time when people didn't have the ability to travel long distances, let alone read and write. It was based on choosing electors to represent your areas' votes.The conditions for its use has long since disappeared. The size and populations of modern states have no resemblance to the demographics of the day the EC was devised.

[@gregwalker6281]

Don't need it now.

[@ejames3349]

Get rid of the electoral college!!! We don't need it. The votes of citizens should be all that counts.

[@andreasmith6528]

The compact allows the outcome without amending the constitution. You’d have better luck draining an ocean with a teacup than you would abolishing the EC.

[@Amick44]

We don't need it. But Republican presidential candidates do!

[@tometriceshepherd6609]

True, if that's the case then why vote.

[@ashtonstout7375]

@@tometriceshepherd6609 Half of the country not voting is how Trump beat Clinton in 2016.

[@tometriceshepherd6609]

@@ashtonstout7375 Good it's sends a strong message to the Democrats party on where we stand. Our minds are made up no Reparations no votes, what have got to lose?

[@augustocesar4391]

#Biden2024💙💙💙

[@charlesasmith7836]

Indeed 4 more years 💙💙🇺🇸👍🏻

[@CryptoNDT]

🤢

[@VOTEBLUEFORDEMOCRACY]

​@@CryptoNDTWhy 🤢? You don't like a roaring economy by Pres Biden for ALL AMERICANS not just the 1%? You don't support our Vet heroes, personal freedoms or remaining a democracy? Wow the 💩🍊 failed coup plotting kool-aid must be strong!

[@badhombre4184]

Vote for the sane guy

[@BennilocoLoves]

🇺🇲💙✊️🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

[@dx1450]

The trouble is that red states will never go for this. Republicans will never, ever give up the outdated EC system because they know that's the only way they can get a Republican elected president.

[@wendymcclelland7943]

Another reason Republicans need to be ousted.

[@debravanausdale1063]

Cynical republican bullshit.

[@bobbylong8348]

Brian, you've become my best source for political news, unbiased and interesting, THANK YOU!

[@grandpavan8335]

One person, one vote. The electoral college throwing away millions of votes is hardly democratic.

[@priscillarobb647]

I like that idea to have the popular votes pick the winner in presidential election. I think it is about time cuz like Trump said in one of his rallies that his “ voters don’t need to vote cuz they have enough votes.” That means trump is depending on the electoral votes.

[@johnwattdotca]

You don't get to take over the Republican Party as a political outsider without fronting for the Bush family. The last Bush didn't win the election, the Electoral College put him in, same with Trump.

[@michaelgillespie1206]

He also depends on his depends, most toddler's learn to take a break from playing and go to the bathroom.

[@KattMom]

Or Trump and his minions have thought of new and improved ways of cheating.

[@rickstacy384]

Electoral college needs to be removed from our country and let the people vote. Count

[@alexandralalli8530]

I hope this constitutional compact to ensure fair elections will be passed as soon as possible, certainly well ahead of the next defining 2024 election. Thank you and Mark Elias, for an excellent presentation.

[@derekrequiem4359]

In the last 6 elections, we had 2 wrong winners (2000, 2016) and 2 near misses (2004, 2020). 1 person, 1 vote.

[@maryford650]

Their challenge would be "But we can't win the popular vote. It's not fair.". Mark, you stay right where you are. I feel so much safer with you watching all of the states and the Republican party to challenge their unfair voting practices.

[@davidmiller4594]

This has been the way for over 30 years. Because the Republicans lost every single popular vote but ONE. In over 30 Years!

[@shockwave1126]

True, but they would now have to actually work for getting people’s votes.

[@yojishinkawa378]

It's fair precisely because they can't win the popular vote. They aren't popular, and yet they hold power anyway, and THAT isn't fair.

[@storm2000808]

@@shockwave1126 that would be something

[@daxware603]

That’s literally their argument

[@zombiespock9645]

None of this will happen if you don't have the votes. Vote blue, everyone!

[@normapenetta5940]

I don’t know how to vote any harder lol!

[@suzanneporterfield2047]

Hard vote for blue biden2024

[@Makumazahn77]

A very educational and concise update on the dreaded electoral college and how we can fix it and start electing a President who wins the popular vote! One can only hope the States wake up and support this very needed change in our election process! 🤞

[@johnnordby1331]

These two guys are gems for Democracy and voters should keep in touch with people like them.

[@HoneyBadger80886]

Two brilliant #Patriots. @BTC and @MarkElias

[@wilburunion6532]

Except they missed the best path There is another path to activating the National Popular vote compact into law is by state Constitution initiatives on the ballot which could happen in 2024 by bringing the initiative in Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Florida. This bypasses the Legislators of those states and they have enough electoral votes to push it over the line. Ask me how to get involved in those states if you live there

[@charlesljones2454]

It's obvious that Republicans will gerrymander and cheat to win so it would make sense to abolish their cheat code.

[@CraftyGrandmaDem]

@@wilburunion6532 I live in Ohio. We have a horrible Republican led Legislator. I would love to bypass them to get rid of the electoral college votes.

[@Ockv74]

Thank you Marc Elias and Brian Tyler Cohen!!!❤❤❤

[@spinthis56]

*EXCELLENT Analysis, Brian!!!* 💙💙💙

[@bassandteacher]

We need to get rid of the antiquated "electoral college".

[@nancystowell4877]

Please watch & listen to this & try to understand how it works.

[@mjc0961]

Every American citizen's vote should count for one vote. It should not be that my vote in New York counts for less than a vote while someone else in Wyoming effectively gets to vote multiple times.

[@catherinewheel4851]

as a californian i wholeheartedly agree! 👍

[@laurieberry2903]

As a fellow New Yorker I agree

[@lynnebarrett9912]

Let's do it!! No more electoral college please!!!

[@spinthis56]

*Marc Elias is a powerful force for Democracy!!!* 💙💙💙

[@gigiv7772]

Thank you Marc Elias for staying on this side. You're our unsung hero.

[@andreasmith6528]

I’m so excited that you’re talking about this. I’ve been advocating for this for several years. We’re so close!

[@InArtStudio]

I learned that the Electoral College was necessary back at the beginning of our country. Because, news traveled by horse and most Americans could not read, write or sign their names. I think we have progressed beyond needing the Electoral College anymore.

[@ArtyFactual_Intelligence]

News in parts of the mid West still travels by horse and many cannot read or write. In the middle of USA little has changed except money came in to join the tumbleweed.

[@concernedbiker9414]

You learned incorrectly. But, I'm sure it was your teachers fault, not yours. Many of the Founding Fathers thought the general public was too ignorant and uneducated to make an important decision like electing a President (Trump voter, anyone?). They wanted Congress to elect the President. Others thought that Congress could be corrupted by the power of electing a President. The Electoral College was a stupid, hasty compromise by the very flawed Founding Fathers in order to get the Constitution passed. In actuality, the Electoral College was really put in place to prevent an incompetent treasonous grifter like Trump from ever becoming the President.

[@alecynot.2016]

well still a lot really very dumb republican voters

[@lylecarpenter3121]

Read? Write? Hmm, that lets out a lot of trumps base.😆

[@johnnyma1731]

Newsprint was rare exactly. We don’t need the fucking electoral college.

[@kman8749]

We need more people like Marc. We must protect him and his team at all costs. Keep fighting for us and our future.

[@user-kh6xl4yg1j]

Marc is a “mensch” aka a good man. So grateful for all he has done and is doing to protect democracy.

[@TheZsuzsana]

Thank you Brian and thank you Mark. I have been struggling to understand how America moves away from electoral votes for the sake of the future of democracy. Great post and great explanation. Have a wonderful day and all the best to you both and your families.

[@ryanpatrick5042]

I think the fact that GOP not having to compete for popular vote prevents them from having to be responsive to the entire electorate. Exactly why they can spout divisive lies and nonsense and pit people against one another.

[@reachelmayeur3447]

It's About Damned Time! Popular votes only, don't take away our right to votes to elect whomever we want. Stop electoral voting.

[@dx1450]

I agree! As someone who lives in a red state, I hate that my vote for president doesn't count.

[@dsmith9964]

First of all, the office of the President IS NOT and was never intended to be directly representative of or responsive to popular will or to population based interests. Therefore we do not have a direct popular election for the office of the President. Secondly, the states, not the people, are the primary constituents of the federal government. The federal government derives its powers and legitimacy from the states and from the people through the states. Therefore it is perfectly logical that the states elect the office of the President via the electoral college system. Finally, you do not have a right to vote for the office of the President or for Presidential electors. Voting for Presidential electors is a privilege, not a right, that is granted by the individual states legislatures. These are unbiased facts. You are free to accept them if you wish but you cannot prove me wrong.

[@Eniral441]

Getting rid of the electoral college is a big problem for small states like Wyoming (population: 578,803). It would negate their citizens' votes for president.

[@dx1450]

@@Eniral441 No it wouldn't. Under popular vote, they'd still be represented. As it is, giving them 3 electoral votes makes them over represented.

[@dsmith9964]

@angelasoden4285 You are absolutely correct! 👍 With a national popular vote for President, the votes of the citizens of the smallest states wouldn't matter at all!

[@taarirebecca]

Thank you for all your good reporting, truly appreciate it

[@Marr80]

I’m all for the popular vote 🗳️💙 🇺🇸

[@skreety0455]

Absolutely. THAT is democratic!😊

[@meoff7602]

Only people that like living a freedom loving democracy.

[@PlumasCounty-nq8kk]

I agree completely! All this B.S. about the Electoral College is just one thing: Politicians trying to rig an election so that they can guarantee a "win". (Is "win" the right word? Maybe "steal" would be more accurate...)

[@peacemonger766]

And right now we can't do that since things are set up in regard to our voting and our Senate so that the minority can often rule.

[@suzanneporterfield2047]

Biden for president ! 2024 !

[@tracyhaverstick5672]

The popular vote is the only fair way to elect the president.

[@VTSteve]

But even then people with little discernment can be sold into supporting the good looking, successful candidate, even if they are a dumb as a rock :-(

[@meltdown6165]

Could be even better if you get rid of primaries and vote for the final candidates directly. Maybe with a second run-off round.

[@Arisaem]

​@@VTSteveyeah but F that. Republicans have been screwing us since the red scare and often using the slave owner relic called the electoral college to gain power. It NEEDS to go. Our entire planet depends on it.

[@FreedomFighter420-]

EVERY vote should count in EVERY election. If the GOP can't win the popular vote, maybe it's time they change their ways and get on board with the American people and get out of the 1950s mentality.

[@tracyhaverstick5672]

@@VTSteve Not really because voting is private. Àny putz that would sell they vote isn't honest to start wit, they will get caught and the unscrupulous person that sells their v9te can't prove it and can vote for someone else and the chea5er would not know.

[@juliettebobcat704]

God love Marc Elias. An expert with clarity and integrity!

[@elgordoloney5743]

Hey BTC, Kudos to you, a very impressive variety of topics covered and it's remarkable who you share the "stage" with, in your show. The work you are doing and information provided is beyond impressive, you are presenting insights into the assaults on Democracy. I hope many voters listen... Thank-you!

[@Dragonmist1]

The US should catch up to the rest of the democratic countries in the world and get rid of the electoral collage completely

[@loonawolf43]

agreed

[@Goralyna123]

As an outsider, it shocks me that the so-called Bastion of Democracy, is not democratic at all.

[@toradog5719]

Yes, Marc. We've made tremendous progress. Trump was a tremendous setback. And a huge corrective action has to take place.

[@eric2500]

*This is amazing - the incorruptible Mr. Elias whom they cannot buy!!* Three cheers! Hip hip HOORAY! Hip hip HOORAY! Hip hip HOORAY!

[@harrywehrman5308]

One person, one vote, make it easy and make it count!

[@alegrecastillo]

Thank you Brian & Mark, the popular vote would be the honest way to go, wish we could go back to that! 🇺🇸🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🇺🇸

[@poorthing]

Go back to it?

[@drdarkeny]

Actually, we never could - the Electoral College is part of the Constitution… And was designed, like the Senate, to protect the wealthy White slaveholding landowners over the "rabble" in major cities like NYC, Philadelphia, or Baltimore. It probably should have been removed after the Civil War as it was a gift to the Slave states. OTOH, it also made declaring a White House victor a lot easier in the days when the only instantaneous communication was by telegraph which wasn't always reliable, so they left that provision out of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. That's why the national popular vote movement has to go around the Electoral College, rather than simply counting all the votes, and declaring a winner based on the most votes. At least, that's how I've always understood the national popular vote movement - because the system they described doesn't sound different than what we've got now!

[@antondovydaitis2261]

@@poorthing Not everyone knows the history of the Electoral College. It may be that they are remembering that it seemed to them that the Popular Vote winner also won the Electoral College, as was more common last century.

[@poorthing]

@@antondovydaitis2261 well, that's one way of saying we need to teach students better. I had classes in civics, American History, government & reading our Constitution, the Declaration & our Bill of Rights should be mandatory.

[@user-wi3tc1ek8f]

Thank you, Mr. Elias. My Dad who passed this year at age 91. Who always lived a working, simple life. Told me near the end. I could have made a lot of money but I wouldn't give up my morals. He was happy and never wanted for anything. Cant say much of that is happening with Republicans.

[@katherinecrossman8521]

Your dad said to you , what my dad said to me just a year from from dieing at only 80 , from cancer . Your dad sounds like a great man .

[@user-wi3tc1ek8f]

@@katherinecrossman8521 So does yours. May he rest in peace.

[@TerryWilliams-wu8xc]

Presidents should be elected by popular vote not handpicked persons.

[@BlindSquirrel425]

Wow, Marc! You are a national treasure, and it’s apparently unanimous! Thank you for being who you are.

[@tlnu1225]

Republicans can't understand that some people still have morals, values, and can't be bought

[@rickallen1908]

Abolish the electoral college altogether

[@andreasmith6528]

That would take a constitutional amendment and if you think the red states will vote for that, well, I’ll try to break it to you gently. 😊

[@rustythecrown9317]

@@andreasmith6528 the tides turn always.

[@francynelane9253]

SHOW UP AND VOTE DEMOCRAT . WE STILL CAN WIN . YES THAT WOULD BE MORE FAIR BUT MAGA ISN'T FAIR.

[@catherinewheel4851]

that would take a constitutional amendment; small population states won't be on board. wyoming has more voting power than california.

[@irenafarm]

It's literally no longer possible to amend the Constitution. because there's too many states, and too many Congressional legislators. And you only have 25 years to do it.

[@kazwright1233]

This is brilliant. I hope I see this happen in my lifetime.

[@independent996]

Thank you Marc for all you do to save democracy!!! I have said for years the electoral college needs to go. It is crazy that the person that gets the most votes is not the one that wins the presidency!

[@mildol7271]

In my opinion. The closer America 🇺🇸 comes to a true Democracy the better off we’ll be❗️

[@kimthomas781]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@JohnWarner-lu8rq]

No democracies have lasted more than 200 years. The Founders knew well of democracies in history, which is why they created the Republic.

[@DerekCrosby]

I mean if Republicans want to "Earn" votes from people, and return back toward the center, I'd be fine with Republicans earning and winning the popular vote, I'm not anti-republican, I'm just anti minority rule, which is not democratic.

[@kreiner1]

Mark, the fact that you laughed at half a billion dollars made me feel like we can affect change. And I'm proud to be a supporting you. ❤❤

[@chrisdsouza8685]

Agreed most heartily ❤

[@Dovietail]

Ranked choice voting could save this country from its current hatefulness and extremism. It would certainly also save a lot of headaches in the Republican primaries right now! 😅

[@FkSeditiousChristofascists]

Along with open primaries...

[@tometriceshepherd6609]

Well it's been over 400 years what have they done for the black communities in specific?

[@joseesteban6884]

Voting should be made mandatory, and most votes wins. Simple.

[@pamelapeterson2987]

Thank you for your service to our country and democracy, Mr. Elias.

[@jessetorres8738]

Keep in mind, of the past 8 Presidential Elections (Clinton in 1992 to Biden in 2020) the Republican candidate only won a majority of the Popular Vote just 1 time (Bush Jr.'s reelection in 2004), despite them winning the Electoral College 3 times. Furthermore, the Republicans that have been President or whenever Republicans have controlled The House & The Senate in Congress have only had 2 policies-1) tax cuts for the wealthy & corporations, & 2) overspending on the military & defense budget for foreign wars-neither of which are supported by a majority of young voters.

[@debrajames6286]

Thank you.🎯💯💙🙋

[@Kimberly-dt4ko]

Bush only won the popular vote in 2004 because he was president when 9/11 happened. If he hadn't been there due to the electoral college, the Republicans wouldn't have won the popular vote that time either.

[@MrCWells3000]

THIS IS BRILLIANT. We wouldn’t need to amend the Constitution, we could simply DECIDE, as individual states, to sidestep the mechanisms of the Electoral College.

[@dsmith9964]

If NPVIC is such a brilliant idea, then why has it either failed or stalled more than twice as many times as it has passed? 🤔 Could it be that NPVIC is a bad idea altogether? Is it that supporters of this silly Compact scheme are simply too lazy to press for the proper procedure of a Constitutional Amendment to abolish the electoral college? 🤔

[@alexv1190]

But how to do this without ignoring Republicans? Our problem is we have to actually follow the rule of law

[@dsmith9964]

​@@alexv1190We don't do anything but leave the system as it is until there is both good reason and substantial broad support for a Constitutional Amendment. 😮

[@nancystowell4877]

@@dsmith9964 Please try to understand that this DOES NOT require an Amendment!

[@dgundo]

Your channel, Democracy Docket , and your conversations help keep me sane in these dangerous and turmulent times. Keep up the hard and important work!

[@RockPowerUSA]

I have to tell you as a homeless man living in his car, this is the first time I've ever thought about donating any money in a while. It's scary and very hopeful at the same time.😮

[@colleenreilly7881]

Hoping you find your own home soon. Don’t worry about donating!Just speak out to others instead, or attend community meetings. ❤

[@candicek.4659]

Thank you Marc for loving your country more than the almighty dollar. $500 million is a stunning amount of money to say no to. Thank you for fighting every day through the courts to protect and preserve our rights so that all citizens have a say in choosing who governs us.

[@susangreene6449]

Thank you Brian and Marc 🇺🇸💙⚖📮🗳🌊💙🌊💙🌊

[@ryukoli4707]

We the people are not getting our due through the present day Electoral College. Our GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE MORE IN LINE WITH: BY THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE.

[@nancydouglas8772]

Thank you so much M. Elias for fighting for democracy and our country.

[@moral19D]

Mark Elias is one of the greatest Americans of the 21st century. He and his team are engaged in the fights that we, the average citizens do not have the understanding, time, or capabilities to engage in such detail so that this, this Grand experiment known as America can continue for centuries to come. I cannot convey an appropriate level of gratitude in a single comment that I have for him and his team. I can only say that I'm honored to live in the same era of time where men like Mark Elias are alive. Thank you for everything you do and have done.

[@crrhoades4]

Completely agree!! Amidst all thr bad actors and willfull idiots in the US, it is uplifting ti see and hear people like Elias, Cohen -- and Popok, Meiselis, Kirschner, et al. achieving very real and concrete benefits for the country!

[@andercoyote4170]

Marc Elias is priceless 🇺🇸

[@susangreene6449]

That's great news...finally going in the right direction. Thank you.🇺🇸💙🌊🇺🇸💙🌊⚖📮🗳⚖📮🗳⚖📮🗳⚖

[@michaelburns7281]

Get rid of the electoral college!!

[@lindalb9519]

Thank You, Marc for your diligent work to save our democratic process.

[@SusanKay-]

VOTE like, "We're only 4 years away from another 'Kracken Lady'". Because we are.

[@landlockedcruiser]

When 🍊🤡 ran the 1st time in 2016 he touted of getting rid of the electoral college! But he also said he'd release his taxs if he won the nomination and we'd also get new Healthcare in 2 wks!😅😂

[@Goldenfeather77]

We stand as proud by the Constitution of the USA proudly. 🇺🇸