Tasfia Tasnim
SOC 200
August 6, 2023
Concerns arise in a scenario where the election is solely based on the popular vote because the
distribution of the population across different states can lead to a situation in which votes from
citizens in less populous states may have less influence than votes from citizens in more
populous states. This is due to the Electoral College, which gives each state a minimum of three
electoral votes based on the number of representatives and senators it has in Congress. As a
result, smaller states have more electoral votes per population than larger states. As a result,
candidates may focus their campaigns more on states with greater populations, thereby
neglecting residents' interests and concerns in smaller states.
The National Popular Vote Act's supporters want to remedy the alleged inequities generated by
the Electoral College. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is a state agreement to
award their electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most votes nationally, regardless of
their performance in each state. This agreement ensures that every individual vote has an equal
impact on the final election outcome, regardless of the voter's residence state. This method
strives to align the outcome more closely with the national popular vote by opposing the
"winner-takes-all" system in many states.
The Electoral College is a complex institution with both benefits and drawbacks. From a
sociological standpoint, it can be regarded via several lenses:
Structural Functionalism: The Electoral College balances the interests of small and large states,
preventing one group from dominating the other. This structure can enhance political system
stability and coherence.
Conflict Theory: Critics contend that the Electoral College system can perpetuate disparities by
directing candidates' attention to specific swing states while ignoring others. This could
exacerbate power disparities and societal tensions.
Symbolic Interactionism: The Electoral College's impact on individual citizens' sense of political
efficacy can vary. Some may feel empowered knowing their state's unique role in the electoral
process, while others might feel their voice is overshadowed by the system's complexities.
In conclusion, the Electoral College has both supporters who value its role in preserving the
interests of smaller states and critics who highlight its potential to distort the representation of
the popular will. Sociological theories help us understand how the Electoral College impacts
different aspects of society, from power dynamics to individual perceptions of the democratic
process. The debate surrounding its continuation or reform reflects the tension between equal
representation and regional diversity in a complex democratic society.
