Politics & Government

Florida Electoral College Change Not Likely

While some states are eyeing a switch that would award Electoral College votes based on how a Congressional district votes, Florida's State House Speaker Will Weatherford says it's a bad idea. Do you agree?

If all the states eyeing a change in how they award Electoral College votes, plus Florida, had made changes in advance of the 2012 presidential election, Gov. Mitt Romney would be in the White House today and President Barack Obama would be relegated to the pages of history.

That, according to the Miami Herald, is a prospect that has some Republicans jumping on the band wagon to alter how states award their Electoral College votes.

How it Works

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Right now, Electoral College votes in most states are awarded based on a winner-takes-all system. The popular vote deems who gets every vote assigned to a state. The proposed changes would make it so Electoral College votes in states considering a switch would be awarded based on how congressional districts vote. This means a state’s votes could be split among candidates.

Florida Republicans Aren't Keen on the Idea

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But, even as the Republican National Committee’s chairman seems to relish the idea, one powerful Florida lawmaker is opposed.

State House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, says changing the system is a bad idea.

 "I don't think we need to change the rules of the game, I think we need to get better," Weatherford told the Herald.

States eyeing a change are those whose Electoral College votes went to Obama in 2012 despite the fact the Republicans control legislatures. They include Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan, according to the Washington Post.

Florida Senate President Don Gaetz isn’t keen on the idea being tossed around in the other swing states. He, however, has his own opinions on how to fix the Electoral College.

 "I think we should abolish the Electoral College but nobody in Washington has called to ask for my opinion," Gaetz told the Herald.

How the Bay Voted in 2012

During the 2012 Presidential Election, 52 percent of Pinellas County’s voters cast their ballots in favor of Obama. Romney garnered 46 percent of the vote, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office.

In nearby Pasco, however, voters favored Romney. The former Massachusetts governor took 52.48 percent of that county’s votes. Obama captured 45.86 percent.

If Florida adopted a system of awarding votes similar to that being considered in other states, Pasco’s voters may have helped Romney earn some of Florida’s 29 Electoral College votes.

What do you think about changing the Electoral College, Dunedin? Is Weatherford right that Republicans just need to get better? Do you agree with Gaetz that the Electoral College should just be abolished all together? Share your thoughts in the comments section.


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