THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Government - Libertyville HS

EC Basics

• What is it?– Constitutional means of

selecting the president

• Why was it set up?– To avoid the direct

election of the President, by the people

Alternatives to EC Considered

• Congress choose President– For?– Against

• Too divisive of a decision for Congress to make

• Too much political influence, bargaining, corruption possible

• Separation of powers problem• Balance of power within

government problem

Alternatives to EC Considered

• State legislatures choose President– For?

– Against• President would owe the

states, big time• Federal (National) power

would be compromised / eroded

Alternatives to EC Considered

• Citizens directly elect the President– For?

– Against• Regional “favorite son” fear

(info debt)• Insufficient regional

support for FS to lead country

• Fear of demagogue• Small states disadvantaged

(low pop)

Process of EC – 1789 Const.• States cast votes for President

based on size of congressional delegation (Reps + Senators)

• Whichever candidate received majority of ECV = President

• Second highest vote getter = VP

• If no majority, to House– Each state = 1 vote– Majority state votes = Pres.– 2nd highest vote getter = VP– If tie for VP, Senate votes

Process of EC – 1789 Const.

Remember: System designed with NO POLITICAL PARTIES OR

NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS invented or designed!

Development of EC

• Election of 1800– Jefferson, Burr (D-Rs)

tied in ECV (Burr supposed to be VP)

– Vote went to House (lame duck Fed)

– Hamilton (Fed) threw election for Jefferson

– Burr became VP

12th Amendment (1804)

• Amendment required ONE vote for President and ONE vote for VP

• If no candidate received absolute majority of ECV, House vote on top 3 contenders– Each state = 1 vote– Abs. majority = president

• Senate would follow same procedure for VP

• Note: Direct election not considered – why not?

Choosing Electors for EC on Election Day

• All states have direct election of their electors by popular vote of entire state– Ds select their slate– GOP select their slate

• “Winner Take All” trend– 48 / 50 states give all ECV of

state to party that gets majority popular vote of that state

– Maine, Nebraska use variation of PR system

Election Day• 1845: Congress adopted a

uniform day for election of electors

• Tuesday, following the first Monday, in November

• In years divisible by four• Electors gather in Dec. in state

Capitols to vote• Votes counted Jan 8th and

result announced to joint session of Congress

• President of Senate counts votes

Successes of Electoral College

• Peaceable and orderly transfer of power, without public uprisings, through all 220+ years of Const.

• President must obtain sufficient popular vote (not a majority)

• Pop vote must be distributed across country

• Federalism preserved (50+1 elections)

Problems with Electoral College

• Faithless electors• Winner take all

selection of electors in states

• Votes in small states “weigh” more

• Popular vote winner could lose

• Election could go to House

Proposed Reforms• Get rid of it

– Direct election of President– Criticism?

• Proportional Plan– Each candidate receives same

share of ECV as (s)he received PV of state

– Criticism?

• District Plan– Electors would be chosen in each

congressional district, who would vote according to that district’s PV

– 2 electors elected statewide– Criticism?