You know...I'm not really smart or learned about all the voting ins and outs, but what you are saying is one thing I remember as being true from my past experiences.  I used to be amazed at how the voting among the candidates could be so close, but the electoral votes is what really made the decision of who is elected.  It used to amaze me that anyone votes because it doesn't mean squat in the end.  Am I right in my thinking?