The Electoral College vs. Popular Vote

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that critics charge that the current American electoral college makes it possible for presidents to be elected who do not have an absolute majority of the popular vote, which diminishes the legitimacy of the final victor. The author then points out that one of the arguments in favor of the electoral college is that it prevents powerful, populous regions from monopolizing the electoral outcome as would happen in a popular vote system. The paper relates that, in the popular vote, direct ballot system, parties are given seats in proportion to their share of the votes cast, thus ensuring that the popular vote is not distorted; however, the popular vote system will contribute to fragmentation and instability by making it easier for "fringe" or narrowly-focused political parties to emerge in opposition to the current two major parties.

From the Paper:

"Other criticisms leveled against the Electoral College include arguments that the system creates the potential for "faithless voters" who are pledged to vote for one candidate but who chose, for a variety of reasons, to vote for another. Interestingly, if one expert is correct, there have been a number of such electors in recent years. Moving forward, critics also charge that, because every state is given the same number of electoral votes regardless of its "voter turnout", there is no incentive to encourage greater voter participation - although Kimberling seems skeptical about its overall impact."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kimberling, William C. (2001). Issues for debate: Strengths and weaknesses of the Electoral College. Congressional Digest, 80(1): 9-11.
• National Archives and Records Administration. (2004). U.S. Electoral College. NARA. Retrieved August 19, 2006 from <http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/2004/dates.html#people>
• Rethinking the Electoral College Debate: The framers, federalism, and one person, one vote. (2001). Harvard Law Review, 114(8): 2526-2549.

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