The Myth of Large Cities Dominating a Popular Vote in U.S. Elections
The idea that only a handful of large cities, such as California and New York, could determine the outcome of a popular vote in U.S. presidential elections is a common misconception. While it is true that the 100 largest cities in the United States make up less than 20% of the population, this does not mean that they hold the power to sway the entire nation's vote.
Why Electoral College Defenders Reject the City Myth
Electoral college supporters argue that this claim is disingenuous and misleading. The fairness of the system lies in the representation of all 50 states, not just the largest cities. The pop-vopular vote, while important, is not the sole determinant of who becomes president in the United States.
Moábado, the city-centric claim isn't limited to the 100 largest cities. Counties, which are often the administrative units that hold presidential elections, similarly do not dictate the outcome. The idea that a few large counties or cities should control the election process is problematic and does not accurately reflect the democratic principles that the United States is based upon.
For instance, consider the 100 largest U.S. counties. A graphic that illustrates the distribution of these counties is enlightening: the smaller, majority-populated areas should not have their voices diminished because of a few large, densely populated regions. The electoral college system ensures that every state, no matter its size, has a say in the election of the president.
The Swing States Phenomenon
One of the criticisms of the electoral college is that it creates swing states, which often receive the most attention from candidates during election season. By focusing on a handful of key battleground states, candidates can potentially ignore the votes of supporters in states that are already decisively Republican or Democratic. However, this very system also limits the scope of recounts to just a few states, often just one.
Swing states are typically large states with close votes, which means that places like California and New York are less likely to be as significant as the claim would suggest. The electoral vote system does provide an advantage to smaller states, but it ensures that every state's vote carries enough weight to be considered.
Population Distribution vs. Electoral Power
According to recent data, over 50% of the U.S. population lives in the 30 largest metropolitan areas. This suggests that while the cities are indeed influential, they do not have an outsized influence on the popular vote. The U.S. is a federation of states, and the states, not the people, choose the president. This system helps to ensure that smaller states do not feel marginalized.
The strength of our system lies in its three branches: the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the presidency itself. The House represents the people directly and proportionally, while the Senate gives equal representation to smaller states. The president is chosen through a system of electors, each state electing them to represent their interests. This system is designed to make sure that every state, regardless of size, has a voice in the election process.
Some critics of the electoral college may not fully understand the importance of the U.S. states or the size of the country. For example, the United States has a population of approximately 331 million, with California alone accounting for about 12%, or 40 million people. In comparison, the European Union has a population of around 445 million, ranging from 83 million in Germany to 441,000 in Malta. Each state in the U.S. is unique, and the bonds of federation, though strong, have not led to complete homogenization.
Imagine a scenario where there is a strong central government and a president is elected based solely on popular vote across the entire European continent. This would be challenging and potentially unstable. The U.S. system, with its electoral college, small states, and swing states, is precisely designed to prevent such an outcome.
In conclusion, while large cities and metropolitan areas certainly influence the popular vote, the idea that they can single-handedly control the election is a myth. The U.S. electoral college system, with its representation of all 50 states, ensures that every voice is heard, and no single region or group of people can dictate the outcome of the election.