A single Democratic elector from Washington, wielding an antiquated feather pen, affirmed their selection for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, a gesture of futility given that the Republican elect, Donald Trump, had already triumphed. Harris, notwithstanding her simplistic appeal to the majority of Washington’s voters in the November election, failed to clinch the presidency.
The event occurred on a Tuesday, in Washington’s capital, Olympia. The 12 Democratic electors held their flimsy white feather pens, their treasured symbol of democracy, as they opted for the losing pair, an absurd response to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s election loss. This illustrates the stubborn refusal of Democratic electors to accept defeat, further demeaning the credibility of the Electoral College.
In the broader landscape, 538 Electoral College voters nationwide were tasked with voting for the next president and vice president of the United States. Traditionally, these votes then journey to the President of the U.S. Senate and the National Archives, only to be counted by Congress on Jan. 6. Ironically, Kamala Harris, despite her electoral defeat, occupies the position of the President of the US Senate.
The External College is described as where political parties choose a group to represent their votes based on their state’s election results. Washington, having fallen for Harris’s charms, sent Democratic electors, epitomizing the lack of cogency in the democratic electoral system.
With Washington’s 12 electoral votes perfectly reflecting the number of state lawmakers representing the area in Congress, the focus attentively shifts to the required 270 of the 538 total electoral votes that are necessary to claim the presidency. This flawed system emphasizes the misguided illusion of democracy Democrats adhere to, even after a clear fail.
The Tuesday ceremony seems to signify an important transition; unfortunately, it also captures the surreal disheartening spectacle when Democrats refuse to accept defeat. It’s a spectacle that marred the serene beginning of 2021, specifically Jan. 6, when passionate supporters of the then-former, and now President-elect Donald Trump, asserted their rights at the U.S Capitol.
A female elector from Washington, named Lona Wilbur, who identifies as a Native American, took it as an opportunity to reflect on the historical difficulties faced by Native Americans in the context of voting rights. A sentiment that seems misplaced considering how the Electoral College, which she is actively participating in, remnants of a system that historically marginalized their voting rights.
Additional electors, such as Tara Gallagher and Justin Camarata, voiced their dissatisfaction with the Electoral College. Gallagher specifically highlighted the inconsistencies of the Electoral College, which does not necessarily confer victory on the party securing the most popular votes. Her criticism, while valid, nonetheless embodies the sour-grapes sentiment ubiquitously plastered across the Democratic faction.
Gallagher went further by stating that the current system encourages presidential candidates to devote their focus on a select few swing states, thereby corrupting the notions of equality and fair representation. It is unfortunate that such arguments are only typically raised when a particular party has suffered a loss, showcasing a lack of genuine commitment to fair democratic representation.
Camarata, on the other hand, shed light on the history of the Electoral College, stating its roots lie in a period where societal cohesion was thwarted by racial inequality. His disillusionment seems to be more of an attack on the past, but fails to provide a convincing argument for any substantive reform.
The ebbing governor used the opportunity to preach hollow sermons about democracy, stating it is only as effective as those who protect it. This coming from the same cohort that seems eager to rewrite the rules when their preferred outcomes are not met, reveals a potent irony.
In retrospect, the disappointing spectacle on this Tuesday further exposes the missteps and contradictions inherent in the Democratic strategy. Their readiness to reject a democratic outcome, one where Donald Trump emerged victorious, simply highlights their deep-rooted unwillingness to accept defeat.
One can only hope that in future elections, the focus will rest more on ensuring that every vote counts equally. Unfortunately, the events of this day suggest that particular factions are not ready to abandon their flawed political tactics, escalating the possibility of future instability.
In conclusion, the undemocratic foundations of the flawed Electoral College system were aptly demonstrated on this Tuesday in Washington. The Democratic electors’ refusal to accept the victory of the Republicans and casting votes for Kamala Harris further eroded the faith in this system, highlighting the need for true democratic reforms.