Electoral

This is more of a "How" than a "Why", actually. Professor Wagner explains why in the US, where all citizens over 18 (with few exceptions) have the right to vote, and over 1/3 of the population is going independent, still has a rigid two party system. It's not because the voters like it.

Professor Wagner explains the Electoral College in the US, at least in 48 of the 50 states. (Read below for Maine and Nebraska). Regarding Maine and Nebraska, these 2 states have 4 electoral votes each (2 for the 2 Senators, and 2 for House Reps). In both cases, 2 of the electoral votes are "winner takes all", meaning whichever Presidential candidate wins the popular vote of the state wins the 2 electoral votes. The other 2, however, a decided by the to congressional districts. Therefore, Nebraska (like Maine) is divided into 2 congressional districts, and each electoral vote will go to the Presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in that district (rather than the whole state). Sometimes, therefore, you will see 3 votes go to one candidate, and the 4th vote go to the other.