|
The short balloting system is practiced in US currently to elect the Presidential Electors. But, this system has a few drawbacks. Few accuse it of not reflecting the total trend of the popular US votes. It is also criticized of demanding lots of money and time. Some US states have adopted a few alternative methods of choosing Electors. One of these alternative methods is Maine Method. The Maine Method takes the help of both the modes of Elector selection by the district and statewide ballot. In this method one Presidential Elector is elected by the cast of votes for President in every congressional district. In another phase of this Maine Method two more Presidential Electors are elected by state-wide vote. In the way the Congressional delegation of the state can be divided into US political parties in the Electoral College system, the electoral votes of the state can be subdivided into two or more candidates. This system was practiced for the 1972 US Presidential Election by Maine. It continues till date.
This system is practiced by the state of Nebraska as well. The electoral votes have never been split by either of these states. Those who won the state-wide votes went on to sweep the districts of the states as well.
The ideal of one vote for one person was the main ideal of the Maine Method. This ideal has not been achieved yet. The Maine Method was practiced for the first time in 1804 by Massachusetts .
|
