Discrediting of Elections and Proposals for a Direct Vote for PresidentPart of the current election clash among the rulers involves discrediting the existing structure for U.S. elections. That structure is primarily state based and puts considerable power in the hands of state and county officials. Trump has gone out of his way to target these officials, whether Republican or Democrat, as he spreads claims of election fraud.
The current structure also gives states the power to decide electoral law for their state. This means rules for registering to vote, voting itself, running candidates and getting on the ballot, etc. vary considerably. It ensures inequality among the electorate and in participation in the political life of the country more generally. One means that has been put forward for dealing with the situation is a direct vote for president, without the Electoral College and very likely without the same role for the states. It would more likely be designed as a federal election, with uniform rules across the country controlled by the federal government. It may perhaps even include facilitating such a vote, such as a federally based "motor-voter," method. Already state licenses have to be approved by the federal government for use in entering airports and federal buildings. It would not be difficult to extend that for voting purposes in the name of having a single, federal voting roll that would supposedly be more secure, less open to fraud, etc. Certainly voters would appreciate a simplified set up and one that at least appears more equal. The problem is a direct vote for president and reforms in this direction actually provide a structure that strengthens the power of the presidency and presidential dictatorship. It further removes the people from deciding the electoral system needed while strengthening the notion of a presidential mandate, as the vote is directly for president. Consistent with this, it increases the power of the federal government. This is a key feature of current restructuring of the U.S. state taking place. This is evident in the battles taking place between the states and federal government concerning COVID-19 funding and supplies, immigration, policing and more. The direction is to increase federal control, particularly when it comes to use of force. Greater concentration of control and power in federal hands, especially the Office of the President, serves not only to weaken states. It also further removes the people from having a say. It is a direction that is the opposite of what the people are demanding and require, which is to control policing and budgets and themselves be empowered to govern and decide. A direct vote for president is a way to divert and pacify this drive, in the name of increasing democracy. The entire Constitution with its Amendments and electoral law stemming from it, is obsolete and a remnant of slavery. The direction needed is not a direct vote for president, but rather structures of democracy that favour the people and serve their interests. A new constitution with a new electoral process that empowers the people and guarantees their rights is needed. Reforms must go in this direction, not that of more concentrated power for the rich. (Voice of Revolution)
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In addition, the
existence of the Electoral College is also being
challenged. It is indeed obsolete and a remnant of
slavery. Because it is state-based -- a compromise
adopted to enforce national unity at the time of
the Electoral College's creation -- this can no
longer be reconciled with what is supposed to be a
national election for president based on universal
suffrage. It has shown itself repeatedly to not
enfranchise all electors equally and the results
are not seen to be representative of the overall
vote, as occurred with Trump's 2016 election and
others before that.