Presidential Elections
Presidential Elections
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For some time now, I have been thinking about how we elect our Presidents. To me, the process has become too drawn out, and sometimes causes people to tune out and become cynical about the process. Here is my plan for trying to improve how we elect a president.
For some time now, I have been thinking about how we elect our Presidents. To me, the process has become too drawn out, and sometimes causes people to tune out and become cynical about the process. Here is my plan for trying to improve how we elect a president.
First of all, I need to be very upfront in the fact that I am NOT a fan of political parties at all. I agree with the great George Washington, that they should be avoided. However, since that is likely not going to happen any time soon, I am in favor of having more parties, and giving people more choices at the ballot box.
First of all, I need to be very upfront in the fact that I am NOT a fan of political parties at all. I agree with the great George Washington, that they should be avoided. However, since that is likely not going to happen any time soon, I am in favor of having more parties, and giving people more choices at the ballot box.
I would be in favor of having no candidates announce they are running until the actual calendar year of when the election is to take place. As it stands now, there are people announcing they are running nearly two years before the General Election. I would like to see that end. I think the month of January, during an election year, should be the time for anyone who is ready and willing to announce they would like to be a candidate. Anyone who announces during the month of January, and has an average of at least 5% support in a conglomeration of national polls would qualify for the debates to be held during the Primary Election season. Here is one possibility for how to run the Primary.
I would be in favor of having no candidates announce they are running until the actual calendar year of when the election is to take place. As it stands now, there are people announcing they are running nearly two years before the General Election. I would like to see that end. I think the month of January, during an election year, should be the time for anyone who is ready and willing to announce they would like to be a candidate. Anyone who announces during the month of January, and has an average of at least 5% support in a conglomeration of national polls would qualify for the debates to be held during the Primary Election season. Here is one possibility for how to run the Primary.
I like this four regions map of the United States, with one possible exception. I would move Maryland into the Northeast Region, as I feel it fits there better. Anyway, listed below is the calendar I would use for the Primary Season, keeping in mind that it could rotate every 4 years. I am NOT a fan of having states like Iowa and New Hampshire having so much power in the early voting process in the country.
I like this four regions map of the United States, with one possible exception. I would move Maryland into the Northeast Region, as I feel it fits there better. Anyway, listed below is the calendar I would use for the Primary Season, keeping in mind that it could rotate every 4 years. I am NOT a fan of having states like Iowa and New Hampshire having so much power in the early voting process in the country.
February - The West
February - The West
San Francisco/Salt Lake City
March - The South
March - The South
San Antonio/Charlotte
April - The Midwest
April - The Midwest
Kansas City/Minneapolis
May - The Northeast
May - The Northeast
Boston/Pittsburgh
During February, candidates could campaign wherever they want in the country, but I would set up two major debates throughout each region, with perhaps in the West they be held in San Francisco and Salt Lake City. In March, in the South, they could be in San Antonio and Charlotte. During April in the Midwest we could hold them in Kansas City and Minneapolis, and in the Northeast in May we could try Boston and Pittsburgh. (Of course, these cities would change from year to year.) One debate would be more of the town hall variety, and the other one would be an actual old-style debate, with little interference from the moderators.
During February, candidates could campaign wherever they want in the country, but I would set up two major debates throughout each region, with perhaps in the West they be held in San Francisco and Salt Lake City. In March, in the South, they could be in San Antonio and Charlotte. During April in the Midwest we could hold them in Kansas City and Minneapolis, and in the Northeast in May we could try Boston and Pittsburgh. (Of course, these cities would change from year to year.) One debate would be more of the town hall variety, and the other one would be an actual old-style debate, with little interference from the moderators.
At the start of each month, any candidate who is polling at 5% or more in the national polls would be invited. This allows for changes, as sometimes candidates could gain or lose popularity during the Primary Season. The goal is to get A LOT of different voices heard.
At the start of each month, any candidate who is polling at 5% or more in the national polls would be invited. This allows for changes, as sometimes candidates could gain or lose popularity during the Primary Season. The goal is to get A LOT of different voices heard.
At the start of June, candidates that are pulling in at least 5% support will have their names put on the National Primary Ballot.
At the start of June, candidates that are pulling in at least 5% support will have their names put on the National Primary Ballot.
In Mid-June, the National Primary Election will be held. Any candidate that pulls in at least 15% of the total vote will be allowed to move on to the General Election.
In Mid-June, the National Primary Election will be held. Any candidate that pulls in at least 15% of the total vote will be allowed to move on to the General Election.
I want elections to be open and honest, yet accessible for people. Absentee ballots would be provided to American Citizens unable to vote outside the country, or to people who have medical issues or situations that make it very difficult to appear in person to vote. All other voters would need to go to their polling stations. Polling stations would be available in as many communities and locations as possible. Strict voter I. D. laws will be in place, and to make it as convenient as possible, polling locations will be open for a full 24 hour period. They would open at 8:00 Eastern Time, and close exactly 24 hours later. Exit polling and attempts to sway people on the day of the election would not be allowed or reported on. LET PEOPLE MAKE UP THEIR MINDS AND VOTE IN PEACE AND PRIVACY.
I want elections to be open and honest, yet accessible for people. Absentee ballots would be provided to American Citizens unable to vote outside the country, or to people who have medical issues or situations that make it very difficult to appear in person to vote. All other voters would need to go to their polling stations. Polling stations would be available in as many communities and locations as possible. Strict voter I. D. laws will be in place, and to make it as convenient as possible, polling locations will be open for a full 24 hour period. They would open at 8:00 Eastern Time, and close exactly 24 hours later. Exit polling and attempts to sway people on the day of the election would not be allowed or reported on. LET PEOPLE MAKE UP THEIR MINDS AND VOTE IN PEACE AND PRIVACY.
July - The West
July - The West
Seattle/Albuquerque
August - The South
August - The South
Tampa/Louisville
September - The Midwest
September - The Midwest
Omaha/Detroit
October - The Northeast
October - The Northeast
Buffalo/Hartford
After the National Primary Election, the winning candidates can announce who their running mates will be. This allows for coalition building (candidates could align with someone who did well, but maybe didn't get to 15%), or they could announce someone completely unexpected. My guess, is that on average there will be 3 - 5 major candidates that will qualify for the the General Election. For the General Election campaign, we would go back to the 4 Regions concept again. Above, I have listed some more potential cities that could host debates
After the National Primary Election, the winning candidates can announce who their running mates will be. This allows for coalition building (candidates could align with someone who did well, but maybe didn't get to 15%), or they could announce someone completely unexpected. My guess, is that on average there will be 3 - 5 major candidates that will qualify for the the General Election. For the General Election campaign, we would go back to the 4 Regions concept again. Above, I have listed some more potential cities that could host debates
On Election Day in November, the same voting rules will apply as in the Primary Election, but this is how the votes will be tallied. Remember, there are 538 Electoral Votes, and it takes 270 to win.
On Election Day in November, the same voting rules will apply as in the Primary Election, but this is how the votes will be tallied. Remember, there are 538 Electoral Votes, and it takes 270 to win.
As they do now, the candidate that wins the highest number of votes in each individual state, will win that state's electoral votes. The candidate that gains 270 Electoral Votes will win the presidency, as they do now. The Constitution specifically wanted the President to be elected on a state by state level, so I do not favor having a national popular vote. This is a part of Federalism, or the sharing of power between the State and National governments.
As they do now, the candidate that wins the highest number of votes in each individual state, will win that state's electoral votes. The candidate that gains 270 Electoral Votes will win the presidency, as they do now. The Constitution specifically wanted the President to be elected on a state by state level, so I do not favor having a national popular vote. This is a part of Federalism, or the sharing of power between the State and National governments.
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