It was interesting to read letters to the editor against the idea of a National Popular Vote in the Morning Sentinel (Jan. 28). That the popular vote “lacks checks and balances to protect minority rights” is a recurring theme in all three letters, but none of the writers fleshes out that concept, nor do they expound on the advantages of the Electoral College other than to explain how it works.
How exactly does the NPV “leave out a majority of Mainers to be able to participate in free elections”? Furthermore, how can the “winner take all” approach of the Electoral College, especially in larger states with more electors, be said to preserve Mainers’ rights to participate in a free election?
Why are these people afraid of the popular vote? Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, if your fear is that your candidate won’t win the popular vote, then perhaps some scrutiny ought to be paid to the quality of your candidate in the eyes of the majority.
This is a country in which we the people get to vote for their candidate of choice in any election, and the candidate with the greater number of popular votes should win. In either party, just because you’re unhappy that your candidate didn’t win doesn’t mean they should have.
Robin Johnson
Waterville
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