Electoral College and majority votes

I thank another letter writer for giving me a chance to provide a teachable moment.

US presidential elections are won by getting the majority of state electoral votes. They are not determined by the popular vote.

California has the highest number of electoral votes (55). The popular vote in California provided that Clinton got all 55 of these votes. Not only did Clinton lose the electoral college vote she also lost to Donald Trump.

Popular vote totals are interesting, but irrelevant. If the citizens of the US want to stop using the electoral votes it can be done through amending the Constitution. There were no concerns about the electoral college before the election.

One additional point: A previous writer said Trump is a minority president. I would say a Republican US House and US Senate would make him more than a minority president.

In regards to state officials violating federal law - they are setting a dangerous precedent.

It would appear that Washington counties with Republican majorities should be able to violate state laws. It is only fair isn’t it? The previous president said we are a nation of laws. In Washington, that appears to mean only laws you agree with. Ask the governor and the AG if law breakers should go to jail.

This story was originally published April 18, 2017 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Electoral College and majority votes."