All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong, with moral questions; and betting naturally accompanies it. The character of the voters is not staked. I cast my vote, perchance, as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right should prevail. I am willing to leave it to the majority. Its obligation, therefore, never exceeds that of expediency.
I believe that Thoreau is correct on his statement here as well, however it really isn't left to the public because of the electoral college and there has been a lot of controversy surrounding it. what would be the outcomes of some of the most controversial elections if the electoral college didn't exist