Dear Editor,
Mr. Wesley Maroney raises a valid point regarding the Electoral College keeping a balance between states representation. My objection to this system lies within the figures.
Consider this. California has a population of approximately 40 million people and 55 members comprise its Electoral College allotted votes, a roughly calculated ratio of one elector to 700,000 people.
Wyoming has a population in the 580,000 range with three members in its Electoral College. This results in another roughly calculated ratio of one elector to 200,000 people. In my opinion here is the problem. One elector represents 700,000 people in California while in Wyoming one elector respresents only 200,000. Where does the “Majority Rules” come into play in this equation?
Minoritarianism is descriptive of a society where a minority rules. It might also explain why many people do not exercise their right to vote. Perhaps they feel their vote does not actually count, so why bother! My question is, do we therefore penalize the majority because the outcome displeases the minority?
As for the citizens of Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Tucson (Pima County) having control over the other 13 counties; we have to realize most of those counties are predominately rural, and as such have open range laws which allow cattle to pretty much roam freely. I hardly think their citizens would cotton (pun intended) to having cattle visit their landscaping not only to partake of the succulent forage but to fertilize it as well.
Lloyd Dickson
Seligman
