# Which 12/19 Electoral College voting outcome would you prefer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 26, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083 "2016-11-26T20:29:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/1 "2016-11-26T20:29:53Z")
In this thread, we’ll sidestep for a moment the issues of legality or the sheer unlikelihood of anyone but Trump being elected POTUS when the ballots are cast on 12/19; instead I would like to ask what outcome Dopers would personally prefer to see. (poll to come) ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/2 "2016-11-26T20:32:05Z")
Trump wins 306-232. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/3 "2016-11-26T20:56:10Z")
As much as the idea of a President Trump is distasteful to me, I would prefer that the Electoral College follow the standards and precedents that the past many elections have set. Trump. 306-232 ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/4 "2016-11-26T21:03:29Z")
Speaking as an outsider, a reversal would be an absolute disaster long term. No issue with amending the system for the next election but this is the system you’ve chosen for this one. A reversal in the recount on the other hand…but that’s another thread. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/5 "2016-11-26T22:13:11Z")
By the books. Trump won’t be a good president, but I do not want a precedent set that shows people that nearly half of you can not bother to vote and get your way after the fact if you complain enough. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/6 "2016-11-26T22:46:29Z")
I voted Sanders and Hillary, and have always been pro-Hillary, not just anti-Trump; I am deeply concerned about a Trump presidency, but I think I’m even more concerned about what happens if somehow the election flips at this point. I voted the first option. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/7 "2016-11-26T22:51:58Z")
Hamilton electors. Enough electors decide Trump isn’t qualified and he doesn’t get 270 EVs. The house picks a more responsible republican. Since Trump lost the popular vote by such a large margin, it is a reasonable middle ground. The only benefit of a Trump presidency is that he will be so corrupt and unqualified that a handful of his voters will learn something. But that will be a painful lesson. Either way, i’ve been wrong about everything in this election cycle so I’m probably wrong about Trump being a total disaster. ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/8 "2016-11-26T22:53:09Z")
Flipping the election would both save us from the coming Trumpocalypse, and add impetus to getting rid of the electoral college entirely. A win-win in my book. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/9 "2016-11-26T23:31:50Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > As much as the idea of a President Trump is distasteful to me, I would prefer that the Electoral College follow the standards and precedents that the past many elections have set. > > Trump. 306-232 I would agree with this, except I would like to find some evidence of election tampering during these recounts such that we take this possibility much more seriously in the future. That it would help underscore that Trump has no mandate might help mitigate his awfulness as well. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/10 "2016-11-26T23:49:46Z")
> [@drm](#): > > Speaking as an outsider, a reversal would be an absolute disaster long term. No issue with amending the system for the next election but this is the system you’ve chosen for this one. As I understand it, the system we had in place for this one – and, at that, for all of the previous ones – is one that says those electors can even now choose _me_ to be the next president of these United States: they can vote for Trump, or for Clinton; or for Sanders, or for Romney; they can throw it to Harrison Ford, if they see fit. Or they can announce themselves deadlocked, and leave it to the House of Representatives. As far as I can tell, those were the rules before Trump started running. And as far as I can tell, they’re still in effect. And as far as I can tell, Trump would be awful. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/11 "2016-11-27T02:46:25Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Hamilton electors. Enough electors decide Trump isn’t qualified and he doesn’t get 270 EVs. The house picks a more responsible republican… I voted for that too. It’s pure fantasy, but whoever the House picks would be a one-term President and I’d prefer the Democrats have a change to win in 2020. We’d be spared Trump as President, and 2016 would be the last ever election using the Electoral College. That being said the reality only way Trump doesn’t get a majority of electoral votes on 12/9 is if he drops dead between now & then. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/12 "2016-11-27T02:49:32Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > I voted for that too. It’s pure fantasy, but whoever the House picks would be a one-term President and \*\*I’d prefer the Democrats have a change to win in 2020. \*\* We’d be spared Trump as President, and 2016 would be the last ever election using the Electoral College. They’d win in 2020 Trump or no Trump, wouldn’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/13 "2016-11-27T03:00:39Z")
Clinton/Pence. I don’t believe Trump supporters _can_ learn a lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/14 "2016-11-27T03:41:41Z")
By the books. A Trump Presidency is going to be bad but it’s not worth abandoning democracy over. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/15 "2016-11-27T03:46:41Z")
By the book. I can’t stand Trump, but I suspect I’d stand an upheaval in the election process even worse. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/16 "2016-11-27T04:45:40Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > By the books. A Trump Presidency is going to be bad but it’s not worth abandoning democracy over. The electoral college isn’t democracy. It’s something else that occasionally gives the office to the candidate that lost the people’s vote. Respecting democracy by giving the winner of the majority vote the office would flout tradition, but I think it’s worth doing here. Not that there’s a chance in hell it’ll happen, mind you, I’m not stupid. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/17 "2016-11-27T04:54:29Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > As I understand it, the system we had in place for this one – and, at that, for all of the previous ones – is one that says those electors can even now choose _me_ to be the next president of these United States: they can vote for Trump, or for Clinton; or for Sanders, or for Romney; they can throw it to Harrison Ford, if they see fit. Or they can announce themselves deadlocked, and leave it to the House of Representatives. > > As far as I can tell, those were the rules before Trump started running. And as far as I can tell, they’re still in effect. And as far as I can tell, Trump would be awful. All that is true. My point is, it seems like anarchy would follow and you would end up with a potentially irreparable rift between the left and right (the voters not the parties). I guess you just need to determinine what is best long term (I’m not proposing an answer). One thing is for sure, as Alphaboi867 said, it would be the end of the electoral college, which I wouldn’t be against if I were American. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/18 "2016-11-27T05:54:27Z")
As a loyal Clinton voter, I would prefer that the College elect Trump, because any deviation at this point would do far more harm to the workings of our democracy than good. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/19 "2016-11-27T06:32:15Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > they can throw it to Harrison Ford, if they see fit. Han Solo would be a terrible president; he’d always shoot first, and also abandon the nation as soon as he got his reward, only to attempt to swoop back in at the last moment for the glory. On the other hand, Indiana Jones might make a great president. He’d be cynical as shit over all the secrets being hidden, he’s knows how to make things up as he goes along, and he can read a book. So…it depends on which one you get. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![ultimate11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/49beb7/32.png) [@ultimate11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultimate11)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083/20 "2016-11-27T06:33:33Z")
One or two “John Ewards” votes, at most. I’m sure everyone on this board would like the outcome reversed, but it’s not going to happen. First off, there are [states that prohibit faithless electors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faithless_elector#/media/File:Faithless_elector_states.svg), including Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio- so with that in mind, the locked college points are 145 for Clinton, and 118 for Trump- including Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio for Trump. Now hypothetically, if the recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania confirm that Trump won the state, Trump would still win, save for faithless voters. I’d me very worried if I was Trump if I still won Wisconsin, but not the other recounts, but I’d take a Valium and call my doctor in the morning because congress counts and certifies the electoral votes on the 6th of January- any faithless voter would be discredited. I hope on December 19th that the electors don’t overrule the decision of the congress. It’s going to be a nightmarish Christmas if that occurs. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-12-19-electoral-college-voting-outcome-would-you-prefer/773083.md?page=2)