Electoral College

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a concise background and history of the electoral college in American government. The author discusses why there was a need for this institution, citing the original sources. A brief history of the electoral system in America is also presented. Finally, the author examines current debate over the electoral college and its potential pitfalls, such as elections polarized along racial lines.

From the Paper:

"The Electoral College, a body of electors that chooses the President and Vice President of the United States, is provided for in the U.S. Constitution, Article 2, Section 1, which states, "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" (Electoral). The electors, which cannot be a senator, representative, or officers of the U.S. government, are directed by the Constitution to vote within their respective states, while Congress is authorized to count their votes (Electoral). A presidential candidate must have a majority in the Electoral College in order to win (Electoral). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cebula, Richard. "The Electoral College and Voter Participation: Evidence on Two Hypotheses." Atlantic Economic Journal. September 01 2001. Retrieved February 09 2006 from HighBeam Research Library Web site.
• "Electoral College." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 09 2006 from HighBeam Research Library Web site.
• "The Essential Electoral College." Capital Hill Press Releases. November 15 2000. Retrieved February 09 2006 from HighBeam Research Library Web site.
• Glenn, Gary. "The electoral college and the development of American democracy. Perspectives on Political Science. January 01 2003. Retrieved February 09 2006 from HighBeam Research Library Web site.
• Hoffman, Matthew M. "The illegitimate president: minority vote dilution and the electoral college." Yale Law Journal. January 01 1996. Retrieved February 09 2006 from HighBeam Research Library Web site.

More papers on Electoral College:

• Essay # 74121 : "Electoral College"
• Essay # 86068 : "The Electoral College in the United States"
• Essay # 32036 : "Is the Electoral College Still a Viable Determinant?"

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