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The Electoral College: Is it a Keeper?, 2000.
An argumentative paper on why we should keep the Electoral College after the election of 2000.
1,260 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 3 sources, $ 42.95
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Abstract
An examination of the the Electoral College and the support and opposition that exists for it. The author discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the Electoral College arguing that the Electoral College is the best and most systematic and fair way to run elections. Included is a background to the Electoral College and a thorough description of its formation and duties.
) Why do we have the Electoral College?
2) The Founding Fathers disputed how the president would be chosen
i) By direct vote of the people
ii) By Congress
b) Compromised with the Electoral College
c) Thesis Statement
3) Description of the Electoral College
a) How many there are
b) How they are chosen
c) How the people vote for them
d) How the President is voted for
4) The Electoral College has opposition
a) Electors don?t have to vote the way they pledged
b) There can be a tie in the Electoral College
b) The popular vote winner may lose the election
5) There can be a tie
a) How there can be a tie
b) Why it could be a problem
6) Electors don?t have to vote the way they pledged
a) The states and their penalties
b) An Example of an elector changing his mind
c) Why it could be a problem
7) The popular vote winner may be the loser
a) How it is happening in this election
b) A past example
c) Hillary?s promise to abolish the Electoral College
d) What would happen without the Electoral College
8) Oppositions solution is to abolish the Electoral College
a) Why it should be abolished
i) A possible tie
ii) Electors can change their vote
iii) The popular vote winner losing the election
b) Why the Electoral College should not be abolished
i) One problem can be fixed
ii) Another has a solution
iii) The last is not really a problem
9) A possible tie
a) Unlikely because each state would have to go a specific way
b) The solution that is already made
10) Electors can change their minds
a) Only 9 of over 18,000 have
b) It is hard to get an elector to change his or her mind
c) The solution is to pass a law
11) The minority may win the election
a) The Electoral College forces candidates to include more people than if there is no Electoral College.
b) Without it, the election would be decided by people that lived in the large cities
c) Small communities would?t be significant enough for candidates to use their campaign money
d) The majority of the US would be left out
e) Why every vote counts in the Electoral College
12) The Electoral College is the best way to run an election
a) The elector flaw can be fixed
b) There is already a solution to the tie problem
c) The majority losing is better than only letting big cities have a say in the election
From the Paper
?You don?t know? What do you mean you don?t know?? Gore has already won the popular vote! Three weeks later, and the US doesn?t know who the 43rd president will be! Each candidate is still scrambling to get the 270 Electoral votes needed to win. But, if Gore has the most votes, why is there still a race? What are these Electoral votes? When our Founding Fathers were setting the policies for the elections, there was a debate. Some said the election of the President should come directly from the people; others said the people could not handle the responsibility, and Congress should do it. They compromised, and came up with the Electoral College. A couple hundred years later, the Electoral College is still in use, and there is support and opposition for it."
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The Electoral College, 2006.
This paper details the workings of the electoral college system and discusses whether or not it's still a viable method for electing presidents in America.
2,458 words (approx. 9.8 pages), 22 sources, APA, $ 74.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the history of the electoral college which was devised not only to reflect American federalism but also to give disproportionate power to small states and reduce the power of popular democracy. The writer of this paper details the Bush - Gore election in which George W. Bush became the first presidential candidate to lose the popular vote but win the electoral college vote since Benjamin Harrison defeated incumbent president, Grover Cleveland, in the same manner in 1888. Predictably, there was a strong reaction to the election result from critics of the electoral college, with Senator Hillary Clinton, among others, seeking its abolition. Yet, at the same time, there are many who continue to defend the electoral college. This paper examines whether the electoral college is still a viable way to elect presidents in the 21st century, the circumstances under which the system was established, how the system works now and what sort of changes have occurred since its inception. The writer of this paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral college as well as alternatives needs which need to be examined to improve upon this election system.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Establishment of the Electoral College
How it Works
How it Has Changed
Arguments for Retaining the Electoral College
Arguments for the Abolition of the Electoral College
Conclusion
Bibliography
Newspapers
Journals and Periodicals
Books
From the Paper
"The central issue for most opponents of the electoral college is their belief that it is undemocratic. League of Women Voters president Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins commented after the last presidential election: "The electoral college, a curious vestige of the 18th century, violates the principle of one-person, one-vote. The time has come to abolish it." This view argues that the electoral college is a relic of an 18th century electoral system, representing a viewpoint that the public cannot be wholly trusted and that an elite group of individuals who "really know best," can. It is argued that this system has well and truly become an anachronism. Democracy, with full participation by the governed, may not be a perfect system and may be at times messy, however, there is no better way to legitimize the process and validate its results."
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Electoral College, 2004.
This paper analyzes the Electoral College in the United States.
1,130 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 39.95
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Abstract
This essay looks at how the Electoral College works. The writer examines how a president of the United States is chosen. The writer discusses the importance of the Electoral College in the election process. In this paper, the writer also discusses the history of the Electoral College and the pros and cons regarding its existence.
From the Paper
"The United States is not a direct democracy. Our nation selects its president not through the popular vote but rather through the Electoral College. The Electoral College and its machinations became nationally prominent during the presidential election, when Democratic Candidate Al Gore won the popular vote, but lost the election because he lost the Electoral College. This paper will outline the history of the Electoral College and analyze its workings in order to determine whether or not it is a viable method to choose a president."
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The Electoral College, 2004.
This paper discusses the possibility of reforming the Electoral College by examining its advantages and disadvantages.
2,630 words (approx. 10.5 pages), 6 sources, APA, $ 79.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the problems of the 2000 presidential election intensified the debate over the effectiveness of the Electoral College, which was established by the Constitution. The author points out that the Electoral College, which was originally created to give all states a voice in the selection of the president, ensures that candidates cannot run campaigns focused entirely on population centers and has been a stabilizing factor in American politics because it limits the emergence of multiple parties. The paper relates the most important disadvantages of the Electoral College are that the winner of the popular vote does not necessarily win the presidency, and the votes of individuals in each state do not count equally.
From the Paper
"The Democratic Party argued against the state's election results, demanding that disputed ballots in three heavily-Democratic counties be counted by hand. Numerous local court rulings resulted in different orders?some ordered recounts because the vote was so close and others declared that a selective manual recount in a few heavily-Democratic counties would be unconstitutional. Finally, the Gore campaign appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, which ordered that the recounting process proceed. The Bush campaign appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, which nullified the decision of the Florida Supreme Court saying that the court's decision to bypass state election laws, which stated that results had to be certified by a certain date, was dubious, as there was "considerable uncertainty" as to the specific grounds for their ruling."
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Against The Electoral College, 2001.
A paper which argues against the electoral college as a means of choosing an American President.
1,990 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 63.95
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Abstract
The paper talks about the history of the electoral college and the negative impact it has had on Presidential elections. The paper shows how the Electoral College originally performed indirect election with the electors from each state based on the states; representation in Congress; and how this was changed with the 12th Amendment. The paper shows several election results as an example. It questions whether the US truly needs this system and discusses key points on methods to change the electoral college.
From the Paper
"The Electoral College was formed during the Constitutional Convention back in 1787. Article 2, Section 1 states: "Each state was allocated a number of electors equal to the number of its U.S. Senators plus the number of its U.S. Representatives (Federal Election Commission 1). At the convention most delegates believed that the people of the United States were not;matured; enough to directly elect the President. Since the delegates didn;t truly trust the people they proposed three different methods of an Electoral College."
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The Electoral College, 2006.
This paper argues against the Electoral College, a complicated process devised by the Founding Fathers to elect the President of the United States
1,605 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, by choosing indirectly the president through the Electoral College rather than directly by the voters, the Founding Fathers hedged against popular passion; however, they did not anticipate the emergence of national political parties or a communications network capable of bringing presidential candidates before the entire electorate. The author points out that the Electoral College has been criticized over the years because it is possible that a candidate could win the majority of the popular votes but lose in the Electoral College voting and because of the possibility of "faithless electors" who defect from the candidate to whom they are pledged. The paper concludes that federalism is no longer a sufficient basis for maintaining an out-dated system of voting because technology allows for an informed national electorate and efficient recounts; therefore, direct national election are possible.
From the Paper
"Now presidential and vice presidential candidates of a particular party run as a team, and in most states, only the names of the candidates rather than the names of the electors appear on the ballot, however, in some states, both the candidates and the electors are identified. The winner in each state is determined by counting the votes for each slate of electors, thus the slate receiving the most votes is declared the winner. A presidential candidate must receive an absolute majority, 270, of the electoral votes cast, and if no candidate receives a majority, then the House of Representatives picks the winner from the top three, with each state delegation in the House casting only one vote, regardless of its size."
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Electoral College, 2002.
Examines the pros and cons of using the electoral college.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 10 sources, $ 71.95
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Abstract
An 8-page paper discussing the pros and cons of the continuing usage of the electoral college in the United States today. A brief history of the electoral college will be presented, followed by an analysis of how it reflects upon our system of government.
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Electoral College, 2007.
This paper argues against using the electoral college system as the method of voting for president in the United States.
1,292 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper provides an argument for the United States to adopt a popular vote system, where each citizen gets one vote. The paper looks at the composition of the electoral college and studies what conditions led to this body's creation in the first place. The paper then details why the current political and social climate no longer necessitate the electoral college system.
Outline:
Origins and Composition
Theoretical Concerns
Practical Difficulties
From the Paper
"The Electoral College system rests on the principle that states play a significant part in deciding national politics. The number of a state's electoral votes is equal to the number of its senators and representatives, with the District of Columbia being allocated three votes. This comes to a total of 538 electoral votes. To win a presidential election, a candidate thus has to carry at least half the number of electoral votes (Wilson and DiLulio 373)."
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The Electoral College in the United States, 2005.
A look at the Electoral College and the role it plays in American politics.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 5 sources, $ 62.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at the role that the Electoral College plays in the American politics and the presidential election. According to this paper, the Electoral College is a corner stone of the American political system, established at the construction of the U.S. Constitution.
From the Paper
"The Electoral College is an institution in American politics whose only purposes seem to be to confuse the general public and complicate the matter of electing a new president every four years. And yet, the Electoral College has been a fundamental part of American politics since the construction of the U.S. Constitution. It is an inexorable part of the American political system. No matter how outdated, how complex, or how much a seeming impediment to the democratic process, it is important for the American public to understand that short of a Constitutional amendment, the Electoral College is here to stay. But how does the Electoral College actually work? Politicians and the media throw around the name of the institution excessively every time a presidential election rolls around."
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Is the Electoral College Still a Viable Determinant?, 2002.
Discusses the viability and reliability of the Electoral College, particularly since the 2000 Presidential election.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 8 sources, $ 62.95
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Abstract
Never in American history was the Electoral College so "visible" to the voting public than in the 2000 Presidential election. The results of the election - which were nearly two months in determination - were not fully decided until the U.S. Supreme Court finally gave the nod to George W. Bush. Following that decision, the Electoral College has come under the microscope of intense scrutiny. Should it be abolished, changed, or just kept in place in its current form? Those are the issues I address in this paper.
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The Electoral College, 2005.
Explores the options of modifying the American electoral college.
1,983 words (approx. 7.9 pages), 8 sources, APA, $ 63.95
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Abstract
The electoral college is a process created by the United States Constitution that provides a systematic manner of electing the president and vice president. This paper examines the modern electoral college, its origins, advantages and disadvantages. The paper also looks at its questionable democracy and plans for modifying the college by adopting new measurements.
From the Paper
"The unit rule also impacts how presidential campaigns are carried out, with large states and their corresponding high numbers of electoral votes taking precedence over smaller states. This results in situations where the President becomes beholden to large battleground states where he or she spends all the time campaigning and making promises. The issues of these contested areas are put onto a national scale of importance, while the problems of one or two specific states cannot possibly be applicable to the nation as a whole. During campaigns, there is also significant attention paid to interest groups who are clustered geographically and thus could represent the margin of victory to take all the electoral votes for a given state."
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Electoral College, 2007.
This paper discusses the role of the electoral college in American government.
1,497 words (approx. 6.0 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 49.95
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Abstract
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). "
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The Electoral College vs. Popular Vote, 2007.
This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both the current American electoral college and an alternative popular vote system.
955 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
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."
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The Electoral College, 2002.
This paper argues that the Electoral college, unique to American politics, is the equivalent of a constitutional dinosaur. The paper uses examples that illustrate how the process actually thwarts the will of the people.
1,284 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
Unique to the American democratic experiment, the Electoral College awards slates of electors from each state numerically equal to the state?s congressional delegation?representatives plus senators. The paper shows that the electoral college, originally established to adress regional divides and the fear of a demogogue, is an anqituated process that distorts voter participation. Fundamentally, the process is unfair because it violates the 'one man one vote' principle of America's democratic republic.
From the Paper
"However, according to Akhil Amar, a constitutional scholar at Yale University, ?improvements in communications technology and the rise of political parties,? make regional candidates very unlikely today (Amar 2). Furthermore, sharp regional issues such as slavery and tariffs are absent from the current political landscape. Some proponents of the current system point to the current election where George W. Bush won almost all of the southern and mountain states, while Al Gore won the pacific northwest and the New England states, as evidence that regional divides still linger. However, these are not the regional divides that the founders feared because each candidate still had significant appeal in every region of the country. Even in the infant days of the republic, the founders recognized that the Electoral College was, in the words of James Madison, ?the worst possible system except perhaps for all the rest? (Best 23). However, since many of the problems that prevented a direct popular election no longer exist, the Electoral College is the equivalent of a ?constitutional dinosaur? (Amar 3)."
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Electoral College, 2002.
An argument in favor of the electoral college.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 4 sources, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper argues in favor of the electoral college stating that it enhances the rights of the minority interest groups and the less populated states by maintaining a system of equal representation.
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