In this paper, i explain the history of the electoral college, why it no longer is a constructive force in american politics, and why it is time to move to the direct popular election of. The electoral college primer, for example, notes in passing that the one reason for the electoral college was the loss in relative influence of the south because of its large nonvoting slave population. The electoral college is of course based in part on the three fifths clause. Contrary to popular belief, the electoral college has nothing to do with electricity and is not an institution of higher learning.
Every electoral vote that went for trump did because the majority. The quirks of the electoral college system were exposed this week when donald trump secured the presidency with an electoral college majority, even as hillary clinton took a. In the first design of the electoral college described in article ii, section 1 of the constitution. A quick read presenting a compelling case for the constitutional electoral college. Constitution, the electoral college is the formal body which elects the president and vice president of the united states. Wegman combines indepth historical analysis and insight into contemporary politics to present a cogent argument that the electoral college violates americas core democratic principles and should be done away with publishers weeklythe framers of the constitution battled over it. The guest talked about his new book, our constitution, published by oxford university press and written for high. The fec has no jurisdiction over the electoral college. Secondly, i will discuss the negatives of the electoral college. An interactive version of each map is also available, letting you change history. A new edition of the bestknown book critiquing the u. The national archives and records administration nara is the federal agency responsible for coordinating activities of states and congress regarding the electoral college vote for president. List of books and articles about electoral college.
The troubling reason the electoral college exists time. Nov 26, 2018 the quirks of the electoral college system were exposed this week when donald trump secured the presidency with an electoral college majority, even as hillary clinton took a narrow lead in the. Each state has as many electors in the electoral college as it has representatives and senators in the united states congress, and the district of columbia has three electors. Drawing on systematic data, edwards finds that the electoral college does not protect the interests of small states or racial minorities, does not. The electoral college delaware department of elections. There have been five united states presidential elections in which the winner lost the popular vote including the 1824 election, which was the first u. M any americans do not understand every nuance about their presidential selection system, and particularly about what is known as the electoral college, which determines which individuals become their countrys president and vice president. It also explains why a candidate can win the popular vote but not actually win the election. Through the course of this paper i will talk about first the history of the electoral college.
American citizens dont directly vote for president, they vote for electors, and then the electors vote for president. The history of the electoral college debate debate over the system used to choose the president and vice president of the united states is as old as the u. Why the electoral college is bad for america npr coverage of why the electoral college is bad for america by george c. In the age of social media, mobile polling, and a 24hour news cycle, the electoral college might seem oldfashioned. History of the electoral college smithsonians history. This book was written both as a history of the electoral college in american history and as a statement of the major concernsconstitutional, political, socialthat americans and their leaders. The electoral college for dummies chocolate cream centers. The question that often follows an explanation of the electoral college is something like. Before adoption of the twelfth amendment 1804, in the event that no candidate had a majority. The electoral college thus has experienced an immense historical evolution. Electoral college simple english wikipedia, the free. In this paper, i explain the history of the electoral. Its time to abolish the electoral college brookings institution. Electoral college reform ebook by 97817145264 rakuten kobo.
Mar 20, 2019 the history of the electoral college debate debate over the system used to choose the president and vice president of the united states is as old as the u. Basically, this is the electoral college, by dummies, for dummies. The author hopes that the book will help the reader decide whether the electoral. This has led some to question why americans use this system to elect their presidents in. The constitution, in article 2, section 1, provides. Taming the electoral college download ebook pdf, epub. The authors of this book never again mention the subject, and do not. In this provocative book, george edwards iii argues thatcontrary to what supporters of the electoral college claimthere is no real justification for a system that might violate majority rule. Slavery, democracy, and the racialized roots of the. Why the electoral college is bad for america on jstor. The electoral college process california historysocial. Read the fulltext online edition of the peoples president.
Losing the popular vote means securing less of the national popular vote than the person who received either a majority or a plurality of the vote. These are, first, determination of the president by faithless electors who ignore the popular vote in their states, and, second, choice of the. Her easy narrative style deftly navigates a deep body of history, politics, and law. Sep 23, 2008 this website about the united states electoral college from the national archives is an excellent resource for both students and teachers. In the aftermath of the 2016 election, heated calls to abolish the electoral college were made in large part because the winning.
This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. This video explains why the electoral college system was created by. Five times in history, presidential candidates have won the popular vote but lost the electoral college. United states presidential elections in which the winner. Americas founders wisely considered many different aspects of democratic election including the preservation of minority rights i. This chapter considers the electoral college origins and analyzes a logical. At the time, some politicians believed a purely popular election was too reckless and would give too much voting power to highly populated areas in which people were familiar with a presidential candidate.
Elementary students created this site to explain the process of electing a president. The history of the electoral college debate history. History of the electoral college how the electoral college. Electoral college, the system by which the president and vice president of the united states are chosen. It is, instead, how the united states actually elects its president. Representation and the electoral college oxford scholarship. The electoral college was created by the framers of the u.
This book evaluates the electoral college as it relates to relevant theories of representation. Taming the electoral college explores poorly understood aspects of the electoral college, including two possibilities in particular that could pose the most serious danger for american democracy. The electoral college process california history social science project what is the electoral college. So the varied states have different interests but equal representation. Use this lesson plan to teach your students about electoral college voting. All four candidates in the election identified with the democraticrepublican party. Click download or read online button to get taming the electoral college book now. The classic explanations, found in various textbooks and political science treatises, focus on the process argument, federalism, and the view that the framers were skeptical of the people voting. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of senators and representatives to which the state may be entitled in the congress. When americans vote for president and vice president of the united states, they are actually voting for presidential electors, known collectively as the electoral college. The history of the electoral college in the united states involves everything from bribery to civil war, but the people creating it thought they were producing a system that guaranteed the people. The indispensable electoral college is an essential primer on presidential elections in the united states. To view maps and results from all prior presidential elections on a single page, see this historical elections timeline.
Includes faqs, results from past elections, electoral college calculator, popular vote, and links to lesson plans and web sites. It was devised by the framers of the united states constitution to provide a method of election that was feasible, desirable, and consistent with a republican form of government. The constitution assigns each state a number of electors equal to. This has led some to question why americans use this system to. Constitution as a compromise for the presidential election process. List of books and articles about electoral college online. The electoral college in american history and the directvote alternative 1968. This video gives a short overview of the electoral college and what roles it serves in u. Created in 1787 by the framers of the constitution, the college is not a place, but instead the. Electoral college reform brings together new essays examining all aspects of this crucial debate, including the reasons for reform, the issues surrounding a constitutional amendment, the effect of the electoral college on political campaigns and the possibilities for extraconstitutional avenues to change. The concept of the electoral college has been a part of the united states electoral. The history of the electoral college my election helper. It granted equal protection under the law for all citizens. This election result is sometimes referred to, particularly by proponents of electoral college reform, as a wrong.
The purpose of the study is to help readers understand the ways in which the institution does or does not align with expectations relating to representative democracy. Comprehensive resource on the electoral college from the national archives. Im going to try to break it down for you in this piece. The similarities between the electoral college and classical institutions are not accidental. How it works in contemporary presidential elections congressional research service 2 of this eventuality, which occurred previously in 1876, 1888, and 2000.
The electoral college is a body of electors established by the united states constitution, which forms every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president of the united states. Electoral college reform brings together new essays examining all aspects of this crucial debate, including the reasons for reform, the issues surrounding a constitutional amendment, the effect of the electoral college on political campaigns and the. By dummy for dummies so wtf exactly is this electoral college i speak of. It is these electors, chosen by the people, who elect the chief executive. Nov 21, 2016 the electoral college has been divisive since day one. The electoral college and the american idea of democracy. To win, a presidential candidate must have a majority in the electoral college. This website about the united states electoral college from the national archives is an excellent resource for both students and teachers.
The electoral college consists of 538 electors, and an absolute majority of at. The 14th amendment was ratified and had a big impact on the electoral college. The electoral college process california historysocial science project what is the electoral college. The concept of the electoral college has been a part of the united states electoral system since the ratification of the constitution.
The electoral college has been divisive since day one. The author assumes his reader has some knowledge of the basic function of this institution before reading the book so it may be helpful to overview the system before diving in. United states presidential elections in which the winner lost. Every electoral vote that went for hillary clinton did because the majority of that state voted for her. After reading the ballot box battle, choose from three leveled reading passages that relate in some way to the book s themes, concepts, characters, settings, or subject matter. Oct 25, 20 american citizens dont directly vote for president, they vote for electors, and then the electors vote for president. According to article ii, section 1, clause 2 of the. History of the electoral college smithsonians history explorer. The importance of the electoral college by george grant. West for years when i taught campaigns and elections at brown university, i defended the electoral college as an important part of american democracy. This page links to the results of those historical elections, including a larger map, results and synopsis of the race. Tara ross offers a sweeping and nuanced examination of the electoral college and provides a compelling defense of our oftmisunderstood election system.
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