Under the Constitution the States have the ability to distribute their electoral votes as they see fit. All but one or two have chosen the winner take all option, and the one(s) that don't have too small a number of electoral votes for them to be a significant factor in any case. If all States went to a proportioning of their electoral votes, the electoral vote tally would generally be more consistent with the popular vote, but this could lead to Nation wide recounts in close elections. Using the direct popular vote would mean that in any close election, a Nation wide recount would be required. The electoral college isn't going to go away, and it is unlikely that many, if any, more States will adopt proportional distribution.
As Tuesday’s election ticks ever nearer, my fervent wish is a solid electoral college win for Mitt Romney. Not to get greedy, but I’d like it in the bag before the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
I hope this is not asking too much. October’s poll swing and a broadening visceral sense tell me this election may not feature the nail-biting closeness we have been told to expect for months.
But if we are to be ensnared by a down-to-the-wire finish, get ready for the attendant micro-focus on the Electoral College, and the resulting debate over whether it should...
If you took the popular vote away (a good thing that won't happen), then the prez would be selected by someone who maybe, perhaps, has some amount of brain power (I say this, realizing fully that total idiots also get elected to state legislatures--but is idiocy greater in the legislatures, than in the population as a whole? Inquiring minds want to know).
As it stands now, however, votes of people who know the issues get overwhelmed by votes from the lady who wants Obama because he gave her an "Obama Phone."