Electoral college, why vote if our votes don't matter?

This is my understanding of the electoral college:

Each state is given a pre-determined amount of electoral votes that are ultimately in the hands of a small number of mystery men. The popular vote is essentially a pretend election that the mystery men are not bound by. I am not sure how this works so I am actually asking, does anyone know exactly how this works? From what I understand, the founding fathers had no intention of letting the people decide who would be president and designed this system to appear like they have a say. But essentially the votes are just suggestions.

Who can explain this to me honestly?

a reply to: Mryhh

I believe people vote because they 'want to believe' their Vote matters. It's all an illusion of course, and people know this yet, Vote they do. The 'elites' are like one big mob family, they're even related by blood. That being said, they most likely have major squabbles within their families as to who will apply for presidency and so on. It's all a game a very sick demented game but nonetheless, a big silly game.

a reply to: awareness10

Who are the mystery delegates who actually cast the electoral votes?

a reply to: awareness10

And what is the point of a recount like in 2000 if popular votes don't matter anyway? It was just a big show so that the supreme court could illegally decide the election?

Were they setting a legal precedent for some future plan that requires the supreme court have the power to elect presidents?

a reply to: Mryhh

Do they not teach this in civics classes anymore?

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Not in public schools anyway. Want to learn how government works? Google or a college course.

originally posted by: Kali74

Not in public schools anyway. Want to learn how government works? Google or a college course.

I find it odd that the curriculum has changed so much in 20 years.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus



How the hell do I know what they teach in civics class?

Some of my questions, I am certain would not be answered in any class room.

Was that question supposed to have a real purpose or is it your intention to be a smart ass?

Are you trying to distract from the topic because you support such corruption?

originally posted by: Mryhh
How the hell do I know what they teach in civics class?

Because if you are still in school you should be learning this and if you are out of school you should have learned this. I was taught about the electoral college in junior high.

Are you trying to distract from the topic because you support such corruption?

Just because you do not understand how something functions does not make it corrupt.


You want to learn something? Read this thread by Schuyler who explains the necessity of the Electoral College quite well.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

I actually have a fair understanding of how it works and I find it a complete scam. Our votes literally don't count. Are you really going to tell me you don't find that corrupt?

So I deduce you do indeed support this system which tells me all I ever want to know about you. You didn't even attempt to answer my questions so I see your purpose is to defend the electoral college. How conformist of you.

I find it interesting that I, a high school drop out who enjoys learning for fun in my mid life, has a more enlightened view of fairness and corruption than you, an educated (read: indoctrinated) person such as yourself.

You are welcome to your opinion, I think the electoral college needs to go the way of the dinosaurs and become extinct. It's very corrupt.

a reply to: Mryhh

You're confusing the Electoral vote, with Super Delegates and delegates.

Delegates are awarded in the Primary elections while Electoral Votes are awarded during the general election.

Right now people are determining who their one candidate for President will be, this is determined by how many delegates each candidate wins. This is based on the popular vote per county within each state... except for Super Delegates which you should forget about until you have the basics down.

By the end of July both party's, Democrats and Republicans, will each have one candidate and all the delegates will have been awarded, the Primaries will be over.

Next the Democrat and the Republican go head to head for Electoral votes.

Each state has a different number of Electoral votes based on the number of US Representatives they have in the House and these are awarded based on popular vote.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Well there are real conspiracies out there...

a reply to: Kali74

No I might have used the wrong word but I know what those things are. I want to know WHO they are. I also asked more serious questions about the point of recalls when popular votes are essentially meaningless and what the show in 2000 was about.

Please read my questions above and if you have an answer I would be grateful.

a reply to: Kali74


I'm not saying that primary elections have an electoral college. I am saying that the president is elected by the electoral college and asking who are the people who decide electoral votes. I know how they are given to different states in different amounts. I want names so I know who is really electing the president.

I don't think this is why your vote doesn't count. I think your vote doesn't count because the system used to count the vote is corrupted. Diebold was corrupted during the 2004 election. I think the media is used as a tool against the common sense of the general public in recent decades. The term "electable" makes my stomach rot.

People who participate in the circus of modern politics are unenlightened in my eyes. I'm certain many who really want to believe in the quality of the show, blinded by their unwavering faith in a sham of a system, would see me in a similar light. Meh.

a reply to: Mryhh


Knowledge is power. Guard it well.


You will find that freely sharing one's information isn't often done here. It's more likely the case that you will find condescension and derision followed by several common allies supporting the posters behavior. It's a clique thing. You'll get used to it.


All aspects of politics are corrupt. From local to state to federal. It wasn't until I started on my 200 level classes in college that I learned how the outer trappings of the system worked and it was the 300 level classes that really expose the rot.


Like you I dropped out (11th grade) and didn't really pay attention, except for personal interest. Now middle aged and starting a second career college is a requirement.

Good luck on the dark road to discovery

originally posted by: Mryhh
I actually have a fair understanding of how it works and I find it a complete scam. Our votes literally don't count. Are you really going to tell me you don't find that corrupt?

No, because I actually understand how it works.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Well then why don't you enlighten us? I am all ears.

a reply to: Mryhh

Read the link I provided.

And if you really want to know the Electors for your particular state each party is able to supply them, it is not secret.

originally posted by: Mryhh
This is my understanding of the electoral college:

Each state is given a pre-determined amount of electoral votes that are ultimately in the hands of a small number of mystery men. The popular vote is essentially a pretend election that the mystery men are not bound by. I am not sure how this works so I am actually asking, does anyone know exactly how this works? From what I understand, the founding fathers had no intention of letting the people decide who would be president and designed this system to appear like they have a say. But essentially the votes are just suggestions.

Who can explain this to me honestly?

Your 'understanding' is lacking. It is not only lacking is looks to be a deliberate distortion of reality. An attempt to create further disruption and destruction of a system that's already been subverted beyond recognition.

Simply put, there are 50 state elections for the Presidency. Each state appoints and mandates distribution of those votes as their State Constitution dictates.

There is no 'national popular vote' for President. Never has been and , hopefully never will be.

No electoral college and within 10 years you can kiss this Union goodbye, at least without massive enforcement and federalization.