Letter to the Editor: Electoral college protects rights of all citizens

I recently read with interest the opinion piece regarding doing away with the electoral college. At this point I have to wonder if Coloradans would be happy if their votes were nullified by say Texas, or even Mississippi.  The electoral college was put in place after much deliberation, research and study over a period of years. In the end it was agreed upon simply for the reason that in a republic the minority rights must be protected.  This is woven throughout our constitution’s fabric to ensure “all” are created equal with inalienable rights. That no other person, or ideal should be able to take that away.

  What we see on our streets as we speak is true democracy in action.  The mob rules, the mob loots, the mob burns, the mob kills. The electoral college has been a huge success and is only news when an election is narrow and hard fought. One main benefit for the electoral college is it incentivizes candidates to get out and visit regions of America otherwise may be forgotten in a popular vote. The electoral college ensures that a super majority in one region of the country does not absolutely control our country and all that goes along with it. A candidate SHOULD appeal to more than just one or two regions. Additionally there is the question of moral right vs majority rule. John Adams and Abraham Lincoln argued about a moral right vs the majority rule. Lincoln states that and I am paraphrasing that if the majority of a state or nation agree that slavery is a right.  Is that morally right? He argued no.

Hence without representation populations and minorities are at risk from the majority. What if the majority wants to change freedom of speech? Or freedom of religion based on majority? Our national elections measure whether we have an effective way of encouraging a free, stable and just government that protects the rights of all citizens. Not just the majority.


Brian Tobler
South Fork, Colorado