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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Electoral College’s unsavory past

George Watterson seems to have an only partial understanding of the Electoral College. He can’t quite explain why liberal votes should count as much as conservative votes. If he did, he’d have to admit why the Electoral College was created: To “protect” slave owners.

Since adult male landowners were the only people allowed to vote, and the South relied on slavery, there weren’t as many white men in the South as in the North. However, the Southerners had economic power, so the founding fathers placated them by creating an imbalanced system where backwards, hate-filled people’s votes counted more than votes of other citizens.

It’s long past time to change that. Everyone’s vote should be equal. Popular vote counting, not the Electoral College, does that.

David Teich

Spokane Valley

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