A magnificent anachronism The Electoral College
Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives Discuss the Electoral College and the strategy of presidential campaigns
Why all The Anger- The 2000 Election of Course The Media called the election too soon The Supreme Court intervened The Popular vote winner did not win the Presidency
A brief period of anger HRC says her first act as Senator would be to reform it And O.J. said he would spend all of his time trying to find the real killerreal killer Institutional reform trumps anger
2004 a Close Call Ohio was very close A small Number of People could have swung the election
But problems remain Obama Saves the electoral college!
Problems of the Electoral College Faithless electors Problem of the Unit Rule
Problems of the Electoral College Potential for Gridlock Over-representation of small states Minor parties are always hurt, everywhere, all the time
Problems of the Electoral College Potential for Minority-Vote winner (2000, 1996, 1992, 1968, 1960) Potential for a wrong winner
MacLachlan-Tried-And-Failed-Tried-and-Died Attempts at Reform
Some States have made changes Article II, Section I allows the states to decide how they choose their electors Maine and Nebraska use a different method (Congressional District Winner + overall winner)
Potential Reforms! The Proportional Plan The District Plan The Direct Plan State Compact-National Popular Vote
The Proportional Plan This plan divides Electoral votes based on the popular vote totals from each state. Advantages
The District Plan A state’s Electoral Vote is equal to the number of Senators (2) plus the number of Representatives which varies by state. Advantages
The Direct Plan The other plans keep the Electoral College intact, this plan deems the NATIONWIDE popular vote winner as the president. Advantages
DIFFERENT ELECTIONS UNDER EACH SCENARIO
The Election of 1960 WinnerKennedyNixonOther Present PlanKennedy Wins Proportional PlanNo Winner District PlanNixon Wins Direct PlanNixon Wins
The Election of 1968 WinnerNixonHumphreyWallace Present PlanNixon Wins Proportional PlanNo Winner District PlanNixon Wins Direct PlanNixon Wins
The Election of 1976 WinnerCarterFordOther Present PlanCarter Wins Proportional PlanNo Winner District PlanNo Winner269 Direct PlanCarter Wins
The Election of 1992 WinnerClintonBushPerot Present PlanClinton Wins Proportional PlanNo Winner District PlanClinton Wins Direct PlanClinton Wins
The Election of 2000 WinnerBushGoreOther Present PlanBush Wins Proportional PlanNo Winner District PlanBush Wins Direct PlanGore Wins
The Election of 2004 WinnerBushKerryOther Present PlanBush Wins Proportional PlanBush Wins District PlanBush Wins Direct PlanBush Wins
Disadvantages of Each
The Direct Plan Under this plan, 2 elections would have vastly different results Nixon defeats Kennedy Gore Defeats Bush Recounts, Runoffs, Fraud
The Proportional Plan This is the most unsteady 1960, 1968, 1976,1992, 1996, 2000 Do we want George Wallace to determine our president? Colorado failed to Pass and Amendment on this
The District Plan This would increase the amount of Gerrymandering beyond its current state. Changes several Elections No major state has tried it
State Compact Working its Way through the states Electors would be required to vote for the popular vote winner The Matter of the Constitution
WILL IT CHANGE?
The Electoral College Get Used to it What Is Necessary for Change Institutional Difficulties
Why No Change?- Some Groups love it! The Parties Small States Big States Battleground states
Advantages of the System A Proven Track Record Faithless electors are more fun than anything else The Evil Best Known is the Most Tolerable
Advantages of the E.C. Minority Groups Presidents Federalism
The 2008 Election The Obama victory preserved the Electoral College Absolutely no question about legitimacy
The Fear of Unanticipated Consequences