Complications With The Political Development Of The Electoral College
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Date
2019-12-19
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Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
In 1787, the framers of the Constitution compromised in choosing the Electoral College as the method to select the President of the United States. Over the years, the choice of this unique and untested method has led to many unintended consequence, growing pains, and structural problems for presidential elections. This paper examines three of these problems that stem directly from poorly drafted language found in Article II of the Constitution. This includes: 1) undefined roles for Electoral College electors; 2) swing state bias; and 3) the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Specifically, this paper discusses why these issues are problematic and offers a solution to solve them.
By examining secondary and primary sources, this paper concludes that Electoral College electors were intended to act as trustees with free will, that presidential candidates overwhelmingly focus their time and attention on swing states, and the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is constitutionally suspect. To solve these problems as well as uphold democratic ideals, constitutional democracy, and smooth functioning presidential elections, the Electoral College—and constitutional language that caused these issues—must be replaced with the direct popular vote via constitutional amendment.
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Keywords
Electoral College, National Popular Vote Initiative, Swing States, Faithless Electors