A candidate can lose the nationwide popular vote but still get the most electoral votes and win the presidency. This has happened several times. The last time was in the election, when Donald Trump was elected. How does it happen? Candidate A wins the popular vote there by just a couple of votes but still gets all 29 electoral votes. In another state, Candidate B wins the popular vote by a whopping 1 million votes.

But that state has just six electoral votes. See what can happen? Because of this, some Americans argue that the Electoral College system is unfair. Others say the system works just as the Framers of the Constitution planned.

This has occurred a handful of times, most recently in the election. Candidate A wins the popular vote in that state by just a couple of votes but still gets all 29 electoral votes. See what would happen? If you look at just those two states, Candidate B has almost a million more popular votes than Candidate A.

But Candidate A has 23 more electoral votes—which are the ones that really count. Because of this, some Americans argue that the Electoral College system is unfair and should end. The Electoral College vote could be a two-way tie, with each main-party candidate scoring exactly votes.

In such a case, the Constitution says that the presidential election would move to the House of Representatives. There, each state would get one vote for president. Representatives from each state would work together to decide which candidate got their vote.

A candidate would have to get at least 26 votes to be elected. Or there might be a popular third-party candidate who throws things off.

A third party is exactly what it sounds like—a political party other than the Democratic and Republican parties. In such an election, the third-party candidate could win enough electoral votes to keep either of the major-party candidates from reaching If you think our elections could not possibly get more complicated, think again. Fortunately, the last time the U.

Congress needed to weigh in was Grades You can change it later here. Choose Your Reading Level. Grades Grades How Does the Electoral College Work? Yes, and remove multilingual translations from government documents and services. No, we should embrace the diversity that immigrants add to our country. No, but remove multilingual translations from government documents and services.

Yes, but it should only cover very basic and simple topics. Yes, and it should test more than just a basic level of understanding. Should immigrants to the United States be allowed to hold dual citizenship status? Yes, unless they have committed a crime. Yes, unless they have committed an act of terrorism. Yes, but they should not be able to claim citizenship status of more than two nations.

No, and revoke the status for those currently holding dual citizenship. No, and we should not allow any new immigrants into the country at this time. Should immigrants be deported if they commit a serious crime? Yes, but after they have finished serving their sentence. Yes, as long as it is safe for them to return to their country. No, only if they have entered the country illegally. Yes, and allow border states to manage their own security policy.

No, just enforce the current border policy. No, and we should implement an open border policy. No, make it easier for immigrants to access temporary work visas.

Healthcare Issues. Yes, I support a majority of the plan but not all aspects. Yes, but a mandatory single payer system would be even better.

Yes, and allow consumers to choose providers and import pharmaceuticals from other countries. No, government should not be involved in healthcare. No, open the markets so insurers can compete across state lines and reduce costs.

Should the federal government increase funding of health care for low income individuals Medicaid? Yes, but only increase for the elderly and disabled. Yes, but I prefer switching to a single payer healthcare system. No, and abolish Medicaid. No, and each state should decide their own level of coverage. No, and eligibility should only include the elderly and disabled.

No, and the federal government should not increase funding for any social programs. Should the government fund the World Health Organization? Yes, but decrease the amount. Yes, and increase the amount. Yes, but only relative to the amount that other countries contribute.

No, it has shown to be ineffective. No, fund national and local programs instead. Do you support a single-payer healthcare system? Yes, but allow people to use private insurance.

Yes, this system guarantees healthcare for everyone. Yes, private companies should not be able to profit off of healthcare. No, this system is too expensive. No, the government should not be involved in healthcare.

Should the Federal government mandate that masks be worn by all people on public transportation? Yes, unless they show proof of full vaccination.

Yes, we need to do everything we can to protect the immunocompromised population. No, let each state decide. No, and I don't think masks are effective. No, the government should recommend but not mandate it. Should people be required to work in order to receive Medicaid? Yes, this will help States reduce Medicaid costs. Yes, research shows people who are employed are healthier than those who are unemployed.

No, it is hard to apply for a job if you are sick. No, the vast majority of people who receive Medicaid are disabled. Yes, this is necessary to reduce the drug overdose death rate. Yes, drug abuse should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal issue. No, but legalize drugs. No, this would encourage drug use and lower funding for rehabilitation centers. Should the government regulate the prices of life-saving drugs?

Yes, and we should socialize medicine and healthcare. Yes, and the government should regulate the price of all prescription drugs. No, but shorten the lifespan of drug patents. No, and the government should never regulate prices of private businesses.

No, limiting drug prices would also limit the investment in research and development into new life-saving drugs. No, I think businesses should require vaccination but not by government mandate. More, veterans should be able to see any doctor of their choice. More, and replace the VA healthcare system with a personal health savings account. Less, we should increase funding to improve the current system instead.

Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate drug prices for Medicare? No, the government should not interfere with the free market. Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?

Yes, but only increase funding for personalized care instead of subsidizing pharmaceutical companies. Yes, our mental healthcare system needs more funding to provide a higher quality of care and services. No, incentivize private companies to address this issue instead. Should health insurers be allowed to deny coverage to individuals who have a pre-existing condition? Yes, and the government should not be involved in health insurance. Yes, insuring people with pre-existing conditions drives up costs for everyone.

No, it is immoral to deny health insurance to people with pre-existing conditions. Do you support the legalization of Marijuana? Yes, but only for medical use. Yes, and immediately release anyone serving time solely for drug offenses. Yes, and legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana instead of criminalizing it. No, and increase penalties for non-violent drug offenders. Domestic Policy Issues. Should there be more restrictions on the current process of purchasing a gun?

Yes, and ban all guns from public use. Yes, but only by closing the gun show loophole. Yes, require strict background checks, psychological testing, and training. No, only for assault weapons. No, only for criminals and the mentally ill. No, but increase penalties for gun-related crimes. Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school? Yes, schools should require at least one teacher or security guard to be armed.

No, hire professionally trained security guards instead. No, this would increase the risk of accidental shootings. Should victims of gun violence be allowed to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers?

Yes, but only dealers. Yes, any business should be held liable if the primary use of its product is for illegal activity. No, manufacturers and dealers should only be held liable for negligence. Are you in favor of decriminalizing drug use? Yes, for most but not all drugs. Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time. No, we should pass tougher drug laws. No, and increase punishment for drug dealers. No, but increase funding for addiction prevention and rehabilitation.

No, but decriminalize drugs that offer medicinal benefits such as marijuana. Should it be illegal to burn the American flag? Do you support the Patriot Act? Yes, but the sections involving surveillance and criminalization are too broad. No, and pass strict laws prohibiting government surveillance without probable cause and a warrant. Do you support affirmative action programs? Yes, and drastically increase the current amount of programs. Regardless, we should create more social programs to address poverty.

No, and minority groups should not receive any favorable treatment. Should the Supreme Court be reformed to include more seats and term limits on judges? Yes, but only reform to include more seats. Yes, but only reform to impose term limits on judges. No, and the Supreme Court should not be politicized.

No, reforming the Supreme Court is unconstitutional and would upset the balance of power. Yes, and ban the sale of guns and ammunition to anyone. Yes, but not until the no-fly list screening process is improved for accuracy and includes due process. Yes, if the government considers you too dangerous to board a plane you should not be able to buy a gun. No, this is a slippery slope that will eventually ban the sale of guns to anyone.

Should the government be allowed to seize private property, with reasonable compensation, for public or civic use? Yes, but only in extreme cases of national emergency. Yes, but only for public projects and never for private projects. Yes, but only if landowners are compensated drastically above fair market price.

Yes, as long as landowners are fairly compensated and the projects will benefit the community. No, unless it is for an oil pipeline project. No, and the government should never be allowed to seize private property.

Yes, he should be protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act. No, he should be returned to the U. Should internet service providers be allowed to speed up access to popular websites that pay higher rates at the expense of slowing down access to less popular websites that pay lower rates? Yes, this would make the internet faster and more reliable for users.

Yes, but only give priority by type video over images and not source big website over little website. No, treat all traffic equally and continue the openness of the internet. No, this would allow them to remove competition, create artificial scarcity, and increase prices. Should the government regulate social media sites, as a means to prevent fake news and misinformation? Yes, there is too much fake news and misinformation on social media.

Yes, social media companies are politically biased and need to be regulated. No, the government should not determine what is fake or real news. No, social media companies are private and should not be regulated by the government.

Should social media companies ban political advertising? Should Juneteenth be declared a federal holiday? Yes, and we should provide reparations to Black Americans as well.

No, make Emancipation Day a national holiday instead. No, and end heritage months and designate one month to celebrate all cultures and ethnicities instead. Should the military upgrade Air Force One? No, the current fleet is sufficient. Should local police increase surveillance and patrol of Muslim neighborhoods? Yes, and increase surveillance on all new immigrants.

Yes, until the frequency of terrorist attacks by Muslim extremists decrease. No, targeting Muslims is unconstitutional, racist, and incendiary. No, this decision should be based on crime rates instead of race or religion. No, but police should increase surveillance and patrol of all high crime neighborhoods.

Should there be term limits set for members of Congress? Yes, term limits for the House but not the Senate. Yes, and decrease their salary and retirement benefits. Yes, term limits will increase performance and prevent corruption. No, officials gain valuable experience and become more effective representatives over time. Economic Issues. Yes, and raise taxes on all income brackets. No, but lower taxes for the poor.

No, keep the current tax structure. Abolish the income tax, disallow all deductions and increase the sales tax. Reform to a flat tax. Lower the income tax rate and remove all existing tax loopholes for large corporations. Should the government raise the federal minimum wage? Yes, and make it a living wage. Yes, and adjust it every year according to inflation. Regardless, minimum wage standards should be adjusted by age group. No, and eliminate all wage standards. No, this will only cause prices to increase in a never ending cycle.

No, most minimum wage jobs are meant to develop experience, not support a family. Do you support a universal basic income program? Yes, everyone should receive an income to cover basic necessities including food and housing. No, this will encourage people not to work and harm economic growth. Should employers be required to pay men and women the same salary for the same job? Yes, and businesses should be required to publish their salary ranges for each position.

No, this is irrelevant because the gender wage gap is a myth. No, the current requirements in the Equal Pay Act of are already sufficient. No, the government should never determine what a private business should pay employees. No, there are too many other variables such as education, experience, and tenure that determine a fair salary. Should welfare recipients be tested for drugs? Yes, but provide treatment for those testing positive.

Yes, and immediately terminate benefits for anyone testing positive. Yes, test anyone receiving money from the government including employees and politicians. Regardless, we should end all social welfare programs. No, this is a waste of time and money. No, only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse.

Should the government make cuts to public spending in order to reduce the national debt? Yes, and increase taxes.

Yes, and eliminate federal agencies that are unconstitutional. Yes, but by drastically reducing the benefits and salaries of government officials. No, reduce military spending instead. No, focus on ending tax evasion instead. No, increase taxes on the wealthy instead. No, reduce the number of government officials instead. No, increase taxes on large multinational corporations instead. No, cuts to public spending will negatively affect the economy. Should there be fewer or more restrictions on current welfare benefits?

More, and deny benefits to immigrants. More, current benefits should be capped. More, but increase benefits for the elderly and disabled. More, reform the system so that it supplements, rather than replaces, a working income.

Fewer, current benefits do not provide enough support. Fewer, and ensure benefits go to those that need it most.

No changes needed. Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy? Hurt, I support some private unions but am strongly against public unions. Help, but ban their ability to make political donations. Help, in theory but have recently become corrupt and should have their powers limited. Lower, but eliminate deductions and loop holes. Maintain the current rate. Keep current rates but eliminate deductions and loop holes. Remove taxes on corporations and tax shareholder dividends instead.

Increase for large multinational corporations but lower for small businesses. Should the government increase the tax rate on profits earned from the sale of stocks, bonds, and real estate? Yes, on stocks and bonds but not real estate.

Yes, and all income should be taxed at the same rate. Yes, and increase to the average U. No, and abolish capital gains taxes. No, increasing the capital gains tax will limit investment in our economy. Should businesses be required to provide paid leave for full-time employees during the birth of a child or sick family member?

Yes, but only for maternity leave. Yes, the lack of paid sick leave is unfair to working men and women. Yes, but the federal government should sponsor this program instead of businesses. Yes, but only for sick leave which is unexpected, instead of pregnancy which is a personal choice.

No, too many workers take advantage of these programs. No, private businesses should decide the amount of competitive incentives they offer to employees instead of a government mandate. Should the current estate tax rate be decreased? Yes, and we should eliminate it. No, I am satisfied with the current rate. No, and increase it at a progressive rate. Yes, and all employees should be paid time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale.

No, and the government is currently over-regulating private businesses. No, our economy and businesses cannot afford a decrease in worker productivity right now. Should the government break up Amazon, Facebook and Google? Should the government use economic stimulus to aid the country during times of recession? Yes, and collectivize all industry. Yes, but in the form of tax breaks for all citizens. Yes, the government should intervene to boost a recovery.

Yes, but in the form of tax breaks for low income citizens. Yes, but in the form of increased spending on infrastructure. Yes, but in the form of assisting sectors most heavily hit by the recession.

No, recession is a natural cycle that purges excess. No, and the government should drastically reduce spending during recessions. No, but we should adopt a unilateral free trade policy.

No, trade between the member countries has become too imbalanced. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. THE CITY asked City Hall contenders where they stand on tough decisions affecting the future of New York City — and invites you to see which candidates align with your own responses to the same questions. Candidates for NYC mayor told us where they stand on 15 big issues.

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