The Mapped Data: Understanding Why Joe Biden’s Victory Is Accurately Depicted
Many skeptics have questioned the legitimacy of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, often pointing to maps that show red and blue states. They contend that if the winner is genuinely Biden, the electoral map should reflect a more even distribution of red and blue states. However, this argument overlooks the key difference between population density and the distribution of states on a map.
Populations and Geographic Areas
Maps are designed to show areas, not populations. This means that regions with fewer inhabitants are often visually prominent on a map, while densely populated areas take up a smaller physical space. A significant portion of the U.S. population is concentrated in just a few major urban centers, such as New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These urban hubs have the same total population as many much smaller states combined, but they take up a much smaller geographical space.
For instance, the blue states of New York, California, and Illinois combined have a similar population as states like South Dakota, Montana, West Virginia, and Wyoming. On a map, these smaller states appear much larger simply due to their rural areas, whereas the densely populated urban centers are grouped in a smaller region and therefore less visually prominent.
Map vs. Population Distribution
Some argue that if Trump won, the map should look different, representing an equal distribution of red and blue states. However, this overlooks the fundamental difference between population distribution and the distribution of states. Even if the population were equally distributed, this wouldn't change the fact that different regions of the country have different sizes and populations.
Consider the map showing population density. In this map, the more populated areas are shown in darker shades. If you compare this map with the electoral map, you’ll see that the same relatively small number of voters in big cities like New York and Los Angeles translate to a larger number of electoral votes, hence the predominance of blue in these regions.
The Role of the Electoral College
The U.S. electoral system incorporates the Electoral College, which is a critical factor in understanding why the map looks the way it does. The Electoral College was designed as a compromise between representatives based on population and equal representation. Under this system, electors are allocated to each state based on its representation in Congress, which is a combination of the number of representatives and senators.
When a state wins the popular vote, its electors are unanimously pledged to the winning candidate. This is why you see large concentration areas on electoral maps, such as the blue states in coastal and urban areas, even though the total number of states is relatively small.
Court Cases and Professional Reviews
The validity of the 2020 election has been thoroughly reviewed by numerous courts and experts. Despite these rigorous analyses, the results remain clear: Joe Biden won by a small but decisive margin. Legal challenges and arguments to the contrary have been repeatedly rejected. There's no denying the legitimacy of the election and its results.
It’s important to move forward and focus on the future rather than dwelling on a process that has been exhausted. The last election is over, and it’s three years behind us. Continuing to question the results serves no constructive purpose and distracts from forward-thinking initiatives.
The Elecrtoral College: A Compromise in Action
Another misconception about the electoral process is the electoral college. In the early days of the United States, there was a disagreement over how to reflect the different origins of the colonies. Some colonies were founded by religious groups with a desire for a more democratic representation, while others were founded as business ventures with a focus on land ownership rather than equal representation.
To balance these differing interests, the U.S. Constitution established a system where representation in the House is based on population, while the Senate provides equal representation to each state. This system was further complicated by the Electoral College, which essentially requires voters to choose electors who then vote for the president at the state level.
The Electoral College also faces issues such as gerrymandering, where states redraw district boundaries to favor one party over another. This practice can influence how electoral votes are allocated, leading to a highly complex and sometimes contentious system. However, it remains a vital part of the U.S. democratic process despite these challenges.
Conclusion
Understanding the relationship between population distribution and the electoral map is crucial for any discussion about the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The map accurately reflects the outcome, with densely populated areas taking the majority of electoral votes. Delving into the intricacies of the Electoral College and gerrymandering provides further insight into why the map looks the way it does.
It is essential to accept the results of the election and look towards the future, rather than continuing to question results that have been thoroughly reviewed and upheld by the legal system.