Title: Does The Popular Vote Matter In The Election? Even If You're Not In A Swing State, It's Still Really Important
Headings: Yes, The Popular Vote Matters
Yes, The Popular Vote Matters
Content: In the American government, the president's formal power is deliberately limited compared to that of Congress. The president cannot pass laws, spend or raise money, or declare war without the help of the legislature. And the president's power to convince Congress to do any of those things depends on their power to convince them that it is in their best interest. In politics, that means convincing Congress that the president is popular, that a large majority of the country, beyond the needs of the Electoral College, likes them. This is often summarized by the term "mandate" — the proof in the election that the American people side with the president on issues of policy. There are always debates about how much of a mandate a new president has earned. But the power of presidential popularity is clear in how other politicians act — highlighting their closeness to a popular president ( even transcending party) and keeping their distance from an unpopular one. So even if it's the job of 538 electors to decide the president, your vote matters. If there are policies you want passed, that extra vote will do a little bit to make your voice heard in other parts of the political system. With an election that looks near-certain in its outcome already, the big question left is the popular vote margin, and that still matters.