In this episode, Tim and Sharon McMahon discuss how the U.S. election system works and why third-party candidates struggle to gain traction. They explore the role of the Electoral College, winner-take-all systems, and faithless electors. They also touch on the historical context of the Electoral College and the reasons behind its creation. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the electoral process and its impact on elections. It also delves into the limitations of the Electoral College and the challenges it poses to third-party candidates. Highlights 04:15 The Need to Understand the U.S. Election System 06:08 The Role of the Electoral College 09:25 Winner-Take-All Systems and Popularity Contests 17:06 The Historical Context of the Electoral College 23:10 Faithless Electors and Their Impact 28:34 The Disparity in Electoral Votes 32:56 The Allocation of Electoral Votes 46:02 Potential Solutions: Proportional Allocation and Ranked Choice Voting 56:43 The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact 59:32 The Need for Structural Changes Preorder Sharon's Book! | The Small and the Mighty Sharon's Website | sharonmcmahon.com _______________________________ Come to the LIVE EVENT in Austin, TX | Democracy at Risk REGISTER TO VOTE If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here! Get Tickets to Beer Camp (PROMO: TNEHOBBIT) Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices