US Election 2024: The Majority of Votes Does Not Always Determine the Winner US Election 2024: The Majority of Votes Does Not Always Determine the Winner
In the United States, the election of the president is determined by an electoral system based on the Electoral College. This system means that the majority of votes cast at the national level does not always determine the winner of the presidential election. In the upcoming 2024 elections, this phenomenon could again play a decisive role.
For example, in 2020, Joe Biden won the presidency with a clear lead in votes at the national level. However, there are reasons why this cannot be considered certain. Experts point out that the outcome of the election heavily depends on the votes in individual states, which have a varying number of Electoral Votes to allocate. Thus, candidates with fewer overall votes in one or more key states could still win the election.
This situation is exacerbated by the way states allocate their electoral votes. Some states utilize the Winner-Takes-All system, meaning that the majority vote in that state determines how the Electoral Votes are distributed.This regulation carries the risk that the voices of the minority in each state are not sufficiently weighted. Political analysts emphasize that these consequences should not be overlooked for the upcoming 2024 elections.
Furthermore, an analysis shows that voting in certain states is done more strategically. Voters may tend to cast their vote for a candidate who is seen as the most likely winner to avoid having their vote "wasted." This circumstance could lead to popular candidates receiving fewer votes in some states, even though they have high approval on a national level.
The discussion about the Electoral College is not new and has led to intense debates in the past. Critics argue that the system should be reformed or even abolished to ensure a fairer electoral system. Supporters, on the other hand, see the Electoral College as a way to protect the interests of smaller states and to avoid dominance by large metropolitan areas.
For the upcoming presidential elections, it will be crucial to what extent voters are informed about the impacts of the electoral process. Regardless of how votes are distributed during the campaign, the question remains whether the voice of every citizen is truly heard in the election of the president. The particular circumstances could make the 2024 election another historic event of inconsistent electoral results, where the majority does not ultimately have the final say.
To understand the dynamics surrounding the election, it is essential for voters to familiarize themselves with the mechanisms of the electoral system and to strategically cast their vote.This could make a decisive difference to the outcome of the elections.
Author: Anita Faake, Wednesday, November 6, 2024
