hook for essay on electoral college

Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Elections — Electoral College

Essays on Electoral College

Electoral college essay prompts.

Let's kick things off with some prompts to get those wheels turning. An electoral college essay doesn't have to be dry or tedious. Check these out:

• Debate the relevance of the Electoral College in today's digital era.
• Analyze the impact of the Electoral College on swing states.
• Compare and contrast the Electoral College with a popular vote system.

Brainstorming Genius: Finding Your Angle

Finding a fresh angle on the Electoral College can seem daunting, but fear not! Here's how to unearth an essay topic that resonates:

• Current Events: Tie in recent elections or political debates for a timely twist.
• Personal Interest: What aspects intrigue you? Dive deeper into those.
• Unexplored Perspectives: Seek out viewpoints that aren't commonly discussed.

Electoral College Essay Topics: Beyond the Basics

Ready for topics that will make your readers sit up and take notice? Move beyond the basics with these ideas:

• The role of the Electoral College in protecting minority interests.
• How the Electoral College influences campaign strategies.
• The history and evolution of the Electoral College.
• Electoral College: A barrier to democracy or a protector of it?
• Pros and cons of abolishing the Electoral College.

Writing Inspiration: Kickstart Your Electoral College Essay

Need a little inspiration to start typing? Here are some phrases and paragraph starters to ignite your passion:

"Exploring the origins of the Electoral College reveals a tangled web of political compromise and the founding fathers' fears of direct democracy..."

"The debate around the Electoral College is more than just academic; it's a reflection of the ongoing struggle between federalist principles and the call for direct representation..."

Is The Electoral College Fair?

The importance of the electoral college, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Should Electoral College Be Abolished Dbq

The strengths and weaknesses of the college in the usa, favor of abolishing the electoral college, critique of the electoral college in the united states today, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

The Electoral College Should Be Revamped to Make America Stronger

The united states electoral college system, the electoral college in the united states, abolishing the electoral college: a case for popular vote, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

How Democratic is The Constitution and is There a Need for The Removal of The Electoral College

Why we should keep the electoral college, why we should keep the electoral college in america, dog whistle politics: coded messages in electoral campaigns.

The United States Electoral College is the group of presidential electors required by the Constitution to form every four years for the sole purpose of appointing the president and vice president.

Each state appoints electors pursuant to the methods described by its legislature, equal in number to its congressional delegation (senators and representatives). Of the current 538 electors, an absolute majority of 270 or more electoral votes is required to elect the president and vice president. If no candidate achieves an absolute majority there, a contingent election is held by the United States House of Representatives to elect the president, and by the United States Senate to elect the vice president.

On five occasions, the winner of the popular vote did not capture the presidency. Two states, Nebraska and Maine, do not have winner-take-all systems. A similar electoral college was previously used by the Holy Roman Empire. Electors are prohibited from meeting in one central location. On rare occasions, electors do not vote as pledged.

Relevant topics

• Abraham Lincoln
• Andrew Jackson

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Electoral College - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

The Electoral College is a mechanism of indirect election in which electors choose the President and Vice President of the United States. Essays on the Electoral College could delve into its origins, functioning, and the controversies surrounding its continued use. Moreover, discussions might explore alternative electoral systems, the implications of the Electoral College on political campaigns and voter turnout, and the broader debate surrounding electoral reform in the U.S. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Electoral College you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

The Electoral College should be Abolished

Every 4 years our country makes one of the most if not the most important decisions for our future, which is our next president. But is the voting process really fair? Direct votes aren’t even used, especially to smaller states, or states with less population. In these circumstances the voting process should be abolished. Since the number of electoral votes are determined by how many representatives and senators a state has, many of the smaller states do not get many […]

Reasons to Keep the Electoral College

The electoral college was originally in place by the founding fathers in order to have "enlightened and respectable citizens" as elected by the state to represent and vote on the president and vice president. There is much controversy over the electoral college's validity now, and especially post-2016 election where the democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, but republican candidate Donald Trump won through the electoral college. There was outcry and uproar, but many of the people criticizing the […]

United States Presidential Election

As of today, countless Americans are unaware that their vote does not have a direct impact when determining the President and Vice President. Although the citizen's vote does matter, certain members of Congress who are part of the Electoral College are the individuals who ultimately make the decision on who the next President will be. These 538 electors use their knowledge and expertise to vote in place of the citizens they represent, even if whom they vote for doesn't support […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

The Electoral College and the Problems that Come with it

The year was 1785. America had just won the war against Britain for their independence. Representatives from every state gathered in Philadelphia for the first-ever Constitutional Convention to decide how the newly formed nation would run. It was here that the Founding Fathers created the guidelines for government. While some ideas that were created and approved have long since faded out (for example, the Three-Fifths Compromise that said for every five slaves, a state could get three representatives in Congress), […]

Should the Electoral College be Banned

The electoral college was created as one of many methods for electing the Presidents. It is one of the most efficient voting methods and has proven to on many occasions that it is the ultimate one. To determine the president, five hundred thirty-eight electors from the states cast a ballot for the candidate receiving the majority support. For any election having the majority vote can affect someone's campaign greatly. The number of electoral votes each state has depends on the […]

The Electoral Process

The United States Electoral College is a body of electors established by the United States Constitution, composed every four years for the main purpose of electing the president and vice president of the United States. The Electoral College was formed because the founding fathers were afraid of direct election to the Presidency. They feared a tyrant could manipulate public opinion and come to power. The Electoral College originally provided the Constitutional Convention with a compromise between the popular election of […]

How the Electoral College Works

As the United States becomes more politically divided, it is more plausible for the President to win the Electoral College and lose the popular vote. Since 2000, news reports have speculated on the possibility of a tie in the Electoral College in the last five presidential elections. Now, analysts are mapping out possible scenarios for a 269-269 tie in 2020. Although a tie has only occurred once in the U.S., there are constitutional provisions in place to resolve one. The […]

How does the Electoral College Work?

The Electoral College is a medium established by the founding fathers between the United States Congress and the people in order to agree on a new president. It replaced direct ballots in order to prevent a tyrant. The process involves five hundred thirty eight electors, which consist of two senators for each state and one person for each member in the House of Representatives. Together, these people decide the next American president by majority vote. This essay will examine the […]

The Election Process of US President

With tears running down their faces, Hillary Clinton supporters began to fester anger at the Electoral College after their preferred candidate lost to Donald Trump by 74 Electoral Votes despite the fact that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by just under 3 million. The 2018 election came down to four swing states, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin, in which the combined margin of the popular vote was less than 250,000 (TheNation.com). Due to the Electoral College, states that are […]

The Electoral College: how it Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections

There are many aspects to the electoral college. The reason the electoral college was chosen, the numbers that are significant in the electoral college, how exactly the electoral college is constructed into a uniform piece to elect the president of the United States, and the benefits of the electoral college system, shall be explained to the full extent. During the drafting stage of the constitution, there were many ideas on what the system should be used to elect the Chief […]

What is the Electoral College?

It's election day! After spending a lot of time thoroughly researching each candidate, you go to your polling station to vote. After all the votes are counted, the candidate you voted for won the popular vote. But you are disappointed to find out that she still lost the election. This is exactly what happened in the most recent presidential election. Although Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by more than 3 million votes, Donald Trump still won the election. How […]

Electoral Process in the United States

The Electoral College was put in place September six, seventeen eighty-seven, in a debate over the president election within the United States of America. Over the years it has been in place there was four times it did not correctly choose the president over the popular vote. The flaw always comes up with it not always working out the topic of debate that usually comes of is the removal of the Electoral College. It should stay in place and express […]

The Electoral College and the Development of American Democracy

The electoral college was created in 1787, by the framers who composed the U.S. Constitution. The electoral college system was established in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, it was built to fix the presidential election process. The politicians decided that basing a vote purely on popularity was careless and allowed for areas with a high population, that were familiar with their presidential candidates to have too much voting power. (Bonsor, Kevin, and Dove, 1-6). Therefore, they needed a […]

The Electoral College and the American Idea of Democracy

The Second Article of the Constitution established the Electoral College as a compromise between the founders who argued for the election of the President by a vote in Congress and those for the election of the President by a popular vote of all citizens. In 1803, the Twelfth Amendment was included, revising the procedures that the Electoral College had previously run on. Another goal of creating the Electoral College was to prevent the Southern States from over empowering the less […]

Why does the U.S. have an Electoral College?

The Electoral College is a group of people that elect the president and vice president of the United States. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors and a majority vote of 270 is required to elect the president. Each state's entitled allotment of electors equals the number of members in its Congressional delegation, one for each member in the House of Representatives and two for the Senators. Under the 23rd Amendment of the Constitution, the District of Columbia is allowed […]

Redefining the Electoral College

While reciting the Pledge of Allegiance freedom, liberty, and justice for all are words declared by most Americans at some point throughout their lives. Americans hold these words at the highest respect and as a necessity to uphold at the democratic republic as well as principles that separate monarchies from republics. The Electoral College is, "the name that was given to the body of representatives elected by voters in each state to elect the president and vice president" (American Democracy […]

The Electoral College and how Popular Vote doesn’t Matter

The electoral college is the institution that is responsible for selecting the President of the United States. The Constitution states that each state has as many electoral college votes as it has senators and members of Congress, also stating that there needs to be a majority of electoral college votes to win the presidency. The popular vote of the United States is the vote that the majority of the citizens agree upon. When you vote, you are not voting directly […]

Electoral College Alternatives

The Presidency and the election surrounding the Presidency it is one of the most essential events in American politics. The office of the President is the highest office in the United States. Given this stated fact, there is always controversy surrounding the Presidency and how people are elected into the position. Looking at the United States at face value it would be assumed that during elections, the citizens are deciding who becomes President. Surprisingly, this is technically not the case. […]

Electoral College & United States

The process of going to cast your vote for a Presidential election can be exciting yet nerve-racking to see the end results. We the people of America, our vote ultimately decides who is President or Vice President right? Contrary to the common belief, the electors appointed by the people in each state make up the Electoral College; they decide who is President and Vice President. This system of voting should be kept in place because it gives smaller states a […]

Definition of the Electoral College?

The dictionary definition of the Electoral College is defined as a body of people representing the states of the United State, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president. When first hearing this name, you may think to believe it to be some kind of school system where people go to learn things all about politics, but that is not what this is, it's not even a place. The Electoral College is a thing; an […]

The Electoral College: Definition & Process

The Electoral College is an important process that was implemented into the Constitution to provide a compromise between Congress and citizens when voting for our nation's leader. When the Constitution was created, the purpose of the Electoral College was to ensure a democracy while also guaranteeing a qualified, well-rounded president. However, the Electoral College has proven that the popular vote does not secure a candidate's position as president. The current system of the Electoral College consists of many strengths and […]

Reassessing the U.S. Electoral College: Time for Change?

Supposedly in a democracy everyone's vote should count equipollently, but the method that the U.S. uses to elect its president, the Electoral College, infringed this principle by ascertaining that some people's votes are greaters than others. The Election of these two officers, the president and vice president, is determined by a group of electors. This was established in Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution. The Electoral College represented a compromise among the progenitors of the U.S. about one […]

An Electoral Update: a Case for Reform of the Electoral College

Following the controversial 2016 election, many unhappy Americans cried out, "Not my President!" to protest the election of Donald Trump to the Presidency. Although Trump currently sits as the forty-fifth President of the United States, these cries of anguish do hold some merit. Due to the setup of the Electoral College, it is possible to have a President that is not voted for by the majority of Americans. Throughout history, the Electoral College has proved controversial by limiting democratic virtues, […]

Why was the Electoral College Created?

When citizens of the United States vote in a Presidential election, they are making a choice to not only fill out a ballot and choose their desired candidate, but they are automatically becoming a part of the election process used to elect the next President and Vice President to those offices. Rather than using a direct vote system, where each individual's vote is accounted for and added, the Framers developed a viable system that not only continues to represent and […]

The Electoral College: a Founding Compromise

Back in the sweltering summer of 1787, as the Founding Fathers debated over how the fledgling United States should pick its president, the Electoral College was born—not out of unanimity but as a classic American compromise. This unique method, woven into the fabric of the U.S. Constitution, was their answer to a question that had them split down the middle. Should Congress elect the president, or should the people have their say directly? The Electoral College emerged as a middle […]

The Great Electoral College Debate: is it Fair or Foul?

Let's chat about the Electoral College, that quirky system America uses to pick its President. It's like that family heirloom – some think it's invaluable, others believe it's outdated. This system, born out of a compromise way back when the Founding Fathers were setting up shop, has its fans and foes. So, what's the deal with it? Is it a stroke of genius or a flawed relic? Let's dive in. First up, the pros. The Electoral College is like the […]

How To Write An Essay On The Electoral College

Introduction to the electoral college system.

Writing an essay on the Electoral College requires a fundamental understanding of its role in the American political system. Introduced as a compromise between election of the President by a vote in Congress and election by popular vote of qualified citizens, the Electoral College is a complex and often controversial mechanism. In your introduction, briefly explain how the Electoral College works, outlining the process of electors casting votes to decide the President and Vice-President of the United States. This introduction should provide a foundation for exploring the various arguments for and against the Electoral College, as well as its impact on American democracy.

Historical Context and Rationale of the Electoral College

Delve into the historical context that led to the creation of the Electoral College. Explore the concerns and motivations of the Founding Fathers, such as balancing the influence of small and large states and the fear of direct democracy. Discuss how the Electoral College was a part of the compromise that formed the Constitution, reflecting the federal character of the country. Understanding the historical rationale behind the Electoral College is crucial for a comprehensive analysis, as it provides insight into why the system was created and how it has evolved over time.

Arguments For and Against the Electoral College

Examine the various arguments for and against the continuation of the Electoral College in modern times. Supporters often argue that it protects the interests of smaller states and ensures a distribution of power. On the other hand, critics argue that it can lead to a misrepresentation of the popular will, as seen in instances where a candidate wins the popular vote but loses the electoral vote. Discuss the implications of this system on voter engagement, campaign strategies, and the overall democratic process. This section should present a balanced view, considering both sides of the debate and the evidence supporting each position.

Concluding Thoughts on the Future of the Electoral College

In your conclusion, summarize the key points of your analysis, and reflect on the future of the Electoral College. Consider whether reforms or abolishment of the system could better serve the evolving democratic landscape of the United States. Discuss the potential impacts of such changes on the political process and representation. Your conclusion should not only encapsulate your findings but also encourage further thought and discussion on the role of the Electoral College in American democracy, highlighting its significance in the broader context of electoral systems and democratic governance.

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Suggested Results

Antes de cambiar....

Esta página no está disponible en español

¿Le gustaría continuar en la página de inicio de Brennan Center en español?

al Brennan Center en inglés

al Brennan Center en español

Informed citizens are our democracy’s best defense.

We respect your privacy .

• Research & Reports

The Electoral College Explained

A national popular vote would help ensure that every vote counts equally, making American democracy more representative.

• Electoral College Reform

In the United States, the presidency is decided not by the national popular vote but by the Electoral College — an outdated and convoluted system that sometimes yields results contrary to the choice of the majority of American voters. On five occasions, including in two of the last six elections, candidates have won the Electoral College, and thus the presidency, despite losing the nationwide popular vote. 

The Electoral College has racist origins — when established, it applied the three-fifths clause, which gave a long-term electoral advantage to slave states in the South — and continues to dilute the political power of voters of color. It incentivizes presidential campaigns to focus on a relatively small number of “swing states.” Together, these dynamics have spurred debate about the system’s democratic legitimacy.

To make the United States a more representative democracy, reformers are pushing for the presidency to be decided instead by the national popular vote, which would help ensure that every voter counts equally.

What is the Electoral College and how does it work?

The Electoral College is a group of intermediaries designated by the Constitution to select the president and vice president of the United States. Each of the 50 states is allocated presidential electors  equal to the number of its representatives and senators . The ratification of the 23rd Amendment in 1961 allowed citizens in the District of Columbia to participate in presidential elections as well; they have consistently had three electors.

In total, the Electoral College comprises  538 members . A presidential candidate must win a majority of the electoral votes cast to win — at least 270 if all 538 electors vote.

The Constitution grants state legislatures the power to decide how to appoint their electors. Initially, a number of state legislatures directly  selected their electors , but during the 19th century they transitioned to the popular vote, which is now used by  all 50 states . In other words, each awards its electoral votes to the presidential candidate chosen by the state’s voters.

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia use a winner-take-all system, awarding all of their electoral votes to the popular vote winner in the state. Maine and Nebraska award one electoral vote to the popular vote winner in each of their congressional districts and their remaining two electoral votes to the statewide winner. Under this system, those two states sometimes split their electoral votes among candidates.

In the months leading up to the general election, the political parties in each state typically nominate their own slates of would-be electors. The state’s popular vote determines which party’s slates will be made electors. Members of the Electoral College  meet and vote in their respective states  on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December after Election Day. Then, on January 6, a joint session of Congress meets at the Capitol to count the electoral votes and declare the outcome of the election, paving the way for the presidential inauguration on January 20.

How was the Electoral College established?

The Constitutional Convention in 1787 settled on the Electoral College as a compromise between delegates who thought Congress should select the president and others who favored a direct nationwide popular vote. Instead, state legislatures were entrusted with appointing electors.

Article II  of the Constitution, which established the executive branch of the federal government, outlined the framers’ plan for the electing the president and vice president. Under this plan, each elector cast two votes for president; the candidate who received the most votes became the president, with the second-place finisher becoming vice president — which led to administrations in which political opponents served in those roles. The process was overhauled in 1804 with the ratification of the  12th Amendment , which required electors to cast votes separately for president and vice president. 

How did slavery shape the Electoral College?

At the time of the Constitutional Convention, the northern states and southern states had  roughly equal populations . However, nonvoting enslaved people made up about one-third of the southern states’ population. As a result, delegates from the South objected to a direct popular vote in presidential elections, which would have given their states less electoral representation.

The debate contributed to the convention’s eventual decision to establish the Electoral College, which applied the  three-fifths compromise  that had already been devised for apportioning seats in the House of Representatives. Three out of five enslaved people were counted as part of a state’s total population, though they were nonetheless prohibited from voting.

Wilfred U. Codrington III, an assistant professor of law at Brooklyn Law School and a Brennan Center fellow,  writes  that the South’s electoral advantage contributed to an “almost uninterrupted trend” of presidential election wins by southern slaveholders and their northern sympathizers throughout the first half of the 19th century. After the Civil War, in 1876, a contested Electoral College outcome was settled by a compromise in which the House awarded Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency with the understanding that he would withdraw military forces from the Southern states. This led to the end of Reconstruction and paved the way for racial segregation under Jim Crow laws.

Today, Codrington argues, the Electoral College continues to dilute the political power of Black voters: “Because the concentration of black people is highest in the South, their preferred presidential candidate is virtually assured to lose their home states’ electoral votes. Despite black voting patterns to the contrary, five of the six states whose populations are 25 percent or more black have been reliably red in recent presidential elections. … Under the Electoral College, black votes are submerged.”

What are faithless electors?  

Ever since the 19th century reforms, states have expected their electors to honor the will of the voters. In other words, electors are now pledged to vote for the winner of the popular vote in their state. However, the Constitution does not require them to do so, which allows for scenarios in which “faithless electors” have voted against the popular vote winner in their states. As of 2016, there have been  90 faithless electoral votes  cast out of 23,507 in total across all presidential elections. The 2016 election saw a record-breaking  seven faithless electors , including three who voted for former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who was not a presidential candidate at the time.  

Currently, 33 states and the District of Columbia  require their presidential electors  to vote for the candidate to whom they are pledged. Only 5 states, however, impose a penalty on faithless electors, and only 14 states provide for faithless electors to be removed or for their votes to be canceled. In July 2020, the Supreme Court  unanimously upheld  existing state laws that punish or remove faithless electors.

What happens if no candidate wins a majority of Electoral College votes?

If no ticket wins a majority of Electoral College votes, the presidential election is  sent to the House of Representatives  for a runoff. Unlike typical House practice, however, each state only gets one vote, decided by the party that controls the state’s House delegation. Meanwhile, the vice-presidential race is decided in the Senate, where each member has one vote. This scenario  has not transpired since 1836 , when the Senate was tasked with selecting the vice president after no candidate received a majority of electoral votes.

Are Electoral College votes distributed equally between states?

Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes based on the total size of its congressional delegation. This benefits smaller states, which have at least three electoral votes — including two electoral votes tied to their two Senate seats, which are guaranteed even if they have a small population and thus a small House delegation. Based on population trends, those disparities will likely increase as the most populous states are expected to account for an even greater share of the U.S. population in the decades ahead. 

What did the 2020 election reveal about the Electoral College?

In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential race, Donald Trump and his allies fueled an effort to overturn the results of the election, spreading repeated lies about widespread voter fraud. This included attempts by a number of state legislatures to nullify some of their states’ votes, which often targeted jurisdictions with large numbers of Black voters. Additionally, during the certification process for the election, some members of Congress also objected to the Electoral College results, attempting to throw out electors from certain states. While these efforts ultimately failed, they revealed yet another vulnerability of the election system that stems from the Electoral College.

The  Electoral Count Reform Act , enacted in 2023, addresses these problems. Among other things, it clarifies which state officials have the power to appoint electors, and it bars any changes to that process after Election Day, preventing state legislatures from setting aside results they do not like. The new law also raises the threshold for consideration of objections to electoral votes. It is now one-fifth of each chamber instead of one senator and one representative.  Click here for more on the changes made by the Electoral Count Reform Act.

What are ways to reform the Electoral College to make presidential elections more democratic?

Abolishing the Electoral College outright would require a constitutional amendment. As a workaround, scholars and activist groups have rallied behind the  National Popular Vote Interstate Compact  (NPV), an effort that started after the 2000 election. Under it, participating states would  commit to awarding their electoral votes  to the winner of the national popular vote.

In other words, the NPV would formally retain the Electoral College but render it moot, ensuring that the winner of the national popular vote also wins the presidency. If enacted, the NPV would incentivize presidential candidates to expand their campaign efforts nationwide, rather than focus only on a small number of swing states.

For the NPV to take effect, it must first be adopted by states that control at least 270 electoral votes. In 2007, Maryland became the first state to enact the compact. As of 2019, a total of 19 states and Washington, DC, which collectively account for 196 electoral votes, have joined.

The public has consistently supported a nationwide popular vote. A 2020 poll by Pew Research Center, for example, found that  58 percent of adults  prefer a system in which the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationwide wins the presidency.

Related Resources

How Electoral Votes Are Counted for the Presidential Election

The Electoral Count Reform Act addresses vulnerabilities exposed by the efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

NATO’s Article 5 Collective Defense Obligations, Explained

Here’s how a conflict in Europe would implicate U.S. defense obligations.

The Supreme Court ‘Shadow Docket’

The conservative justices are increasingly using a secretive process to issue consequential decisions.

Preclearance Under the Voting Rights Act

For decades, the law blocked racially discriminatory election rules and voting districts — and it could do so again, if Congress acts.

Informed citizens are democracy’s best defense

U.S. Constitution.net

Electoral College Explained

Historical development.

The Electoral College, as outlined in Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution , was established as a compromise between election of the President by Congress and election by popular vote. The founders aimed to form a buffer between population and the selection of a President, which originally involved electors chosen by the state legislatures.

The system underwent significant changes with the 12th Amendment , ratified in 1804, following a highly problematic election in 1800 where Thomas Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron Burr, tied in electoral votes, throwing the election to the House of Representatives. This amendment mandated separate Electoral College votes for President and Vice President to avoid similar confusion in the future.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, tweaks to the Electoral College arose predominantly through changes in how states chose their electors. Initially, state legislatures selected electors, but by the mid-19th century, all states had shifted to popular elections. Some states originally allowed their legislatures to represent the voter's intent, but this has largely fallen out of practice except in rare instances of legislative interposition.

By the time of the contentious 1876 election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden, wherein neither candidate secured a majority of electoral votes, a special Electoral Commission was established. This incident illustrated profound flaws in the Electoral College system and led to calls for reform, seen later during pivotal elections.

The 1960s introduced the rise of calls for a direct popular vote after multiple attempts for change emerged throughout the 20th century. The most significant might be during the 1968 presidential election, catalyzed by shifts in public opinion that leaned heavily towards abolishment of the Electoral College in favor of a direct popular vote. However, the legislative fruition of these calls remained stagnant, mainly due to political and regional partisanship.

The skewed weight per vote due to demographic distribution across states has remained a pivotal issue. States like Wyoming having more electoral influence per capita compared to densely populated California reiterates disparities that frequently ignite discussions on the relevance and fairness of this system in modern elections.

Faithless electors have also occasionally influenced debates around the Electoral College's efficacy. In principle, electors are expected to vote for the candidate who received the most votes in their respective states, but instances of electors casting votes by either personal discretion or party influence have surfaced sporadically, leading to calls for tighter laws on elector commitments.

Current discussions also pivot on the effects of the Winner-Take-All method employed by most states, influencing strategic campaign placements, where candidates focus primarily on battleground states while often overlooking ones perceived as staunchly loyal to a particular party. This tactical disregard potentially undermines political engagement in "secure" states.

Alternative proposals to the existing format include the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, advanced as a way to ensure the Popular Vote winner becomes the President without amending the Constitution. Participating states agree to cast their electoral votes for the National Popular Vote winner as soon as enough states join to reach a 270-electoral vote majority.

The historical evolution and contemporary criticism of the Electoral College highlight fundamental concerns on its alignment with democratic principles, feeding an ongoing debate on whether it continues to serve its founding functions or whether a new method of presidential election is overdue for a contemporary America.

Mechanics of the Electoral College

On Election Day, voters across the United States cast their ballots not directly for presidential candidates but for electors who pledge to vote on their behalf in the Electoral College. These electors, whose numbers are tied to the sum of each state's Senators and Representatives in Congress, ultimately select the President and Vice President.

Following the state elections, chosen electors convene in their respective state capitals in December to officially cast their electoral votes. This process is a formality, as electors usually pledge to support their party's candidate if that candidate won the state's popular vote. Interestingly, while the U.S. Constitution dictates the existence of electors, it does not specify the exact proceedings for this voting, which has resulted in varied practices.

Each elector casts one vote for President and one for Vice President, which are recorded on separate ballots. This method of secret balloting aims to maintain elector discretion although 'faithless elector' occurrences are rare and have never impacted the end result of a presidential race.

After the voting by electors, the next crucial step is the counting and certification of electoral votes by Congress. This happens on January 6, following the election year, during a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Vice President, serving as the President of the Senate, oversees this significant event.

During this session, the certificates of electoral votes from each state are opened and presented in alphabetical order. Members of both chambers of Congress have the opportunity to object to the electoral votes. If both a Senator and a Representative challenge a state's results, the two chambers separately debate this issue. However, both houses of Congress must unanimously agree to reject an electoral vote—something that is highly rare.

Assuming no controversies demanding resolutions arise—or once resolved—the candidate who accumulates at least 270 electoral votes is officially declared the winner by the Vice President. This formal announcement ratifies the selection of the President-elect and Vice President-elect, with Inauguration Day set for January 20.

Controversies and Criticisms

The core controversies of the Electoral College often spark heated debate among scholars, policymakers, and the public alike. Central to these disagreements is the winner-takes-all allocation used by almost all states. Critics argue that this method often leaves the 'losing' voters in a state effectively unrepresented in the Electoral College. For example, a candidate can win a state by a small margin in the popular vote but garner all the state's electoral votes, potentially sidelining half the voting population. This can lead to a significant disparity between the national popular vote and the Electoral College results, raising questions about the democratic integrity of the election process.

Indeed, the divergence between the Electoral College and the popular vote has led to instances where the presidential candidate who lost the popular vote still claimed victory through the Electoral College. Examples in modern history include the 2000 and 2016 elections, in which George W. Bush and Donald Trump, respectively, lost the popular vote but won the presidency due to Electoral College mathematics. 1,2 Such situations have fueled arguments that the Electoral College may thwart the will of the majority of voters, leading to a government that lacks full democratic legitimacy by modern standards.

Adding another layer to these concerns are 'faithless electors.' These are electors who, contrary to expectations, do not vote for the candidate who won their state's popular vote. Although rare and yet to decisively impact the outcome of a presidential election, the very existence of faithless electors adds unpredictability to an already contentious system. It poses pivotal questions about electoral autonomy versus elector obligations, further complicating the debates around the Electoral College's role in democratic governance.

Additionally, concerns exist about the equal value of votes across different states. Because electoral votes are not strictly proportional to population, voters in less populated states wield comparatively more influence than those in densely populated states. This discrepancy can feel antithetical to principles of equal representation prevalent in democratic ideologies, where ideally each vote carries equal weight in influencing an election's outcome.

Therefore, despite the ingenious design and historical roots of the Electoral College within the U.S. Constitution, it raises significant concerns that threaten its current suitability. As such, calls for reform or replacement simmer within political discourse, propelled by these intricacies and contradictions that challenge its utility in ensuring a president who truly represents the majority's preference.

Proposed Reforms

One prominent reform initiative is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) , which posits a significant transformation in how electoral votes are allocated without necessitating a Constitutional amendment. Rather than abolishing the Electoral College, the NPVIC allows it to remain but works within its framework. States participating in the compact agree to award all their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote, regardless of the state-specific results. This Compact will take effect only when the total electoral votes of the member states exceed the crucial figure of 270—enough to secure the election of the president. As of now, states representing 196 electoral votes have joined the compact, indicating movement toward but not yet reaching this critical threshold. 3

Another approach widely discussed involves amending the U.S. Constitution to abolish the Electoral College entirely, replacing it with a direct national popular vote. This method requires both a two-thirds majority vote in each house of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures—which demonstrates a formidable challenge, given the political diversity and varying interests across states. This level of consensus is complex to achieve as demonstrated by history and reflects the very brand of federalist balance the founding fathers aimed to secure.

Both ideas, while robust in advocating for enhanced democracy, must confront enduring queries related to campaign dynamics, minority interests, and regional diversity. Critics of shifting to a straightforward national popular vote argue that such a shift may direct candidates to focus primarily on large urban centers where the densest populations reside, potentially neglecting rural or less densely-populated areas. Proponents reply that a national campaign strategy under the popular vote would compel presidential contenders to appeal to a broader cross-section of Americans, thereby promoting more inclusivity in policy discourse and campaigning.

As these proposals make clear, debate around the Electoral College's reform or abolition inherently addresses broader questions about the nature of American democracy and the fundamental principles governing it. The contemplation of these reforms—be it through constitutional amendments or innovative compacts—reveals an ongoing commitment to perfecting a union that remains true to both its historical roots and its evolving democratic ideals. This ongoing dialectic underscores that while the Founding Fathers laid forth a visionary template, it is incumbent upon subsequent generations to recalibrate its mechanisms to better reflect the values and demographics of a modern nation.

Impact on Political Campaigns

Political campaigns in the United States are fundamentally shaped by the Electoral College, explaining why presidential candidates concentrate their efforts on a select group of battleground or swing states rather than engaging equally across all states. This focus primarily results from the winner-takes-all method of allocating electoral votes, which is used by all but two states, Maine and Nebraska. Here, the candidate receiving the majority of the popular vote in a state typically secures all of that state's electoral votes.

This system compels strategists to invest a disproportionate amount of time, money, and resources into states that could go either way—Democratic or Republican. States like Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan often see a surge of campaign activity, including advertising spend, rallies, and targeted policies aimed at swaying an undecided electorate. Conversely, "safe" states with a history of swinging strongly Republican or Democrat receive considerably less attention beyond fundraising activities.

This tactical distribution of campaign resources has wider implications for political engagement across the country. It can lead to voter apathy in states considered safe, where the electorate may feel their vote holds less sway in tipping the balance of national results. By the same token, it can escalate election fervor in swing states, potentially giving a small pocket of voters an oversized influence on the outcome of the election.

Moreover, this strategy has spurred discussions about equity and representation in the democratic process. Critics argue that focusing only on swing states might lead to policy promises that cater to interests represented within these areas at the expense of broader national interests. This not only skews the democratic process but also places immense power in the hands of a few, thus making the national outcome dependent on regional issues and sentiments that might not mirror the overall will of the American populace.

Additionally, the Electoral College shapes campaign narratives in ways that deepen regional divides rather than fostering a cohesive national identity. Candidates may embrace rhetoric or adopt stances that resonate with key demographics within pivotal swing states, potentially inflaming partisan divides or overlooking urgent national issues that do not play as effectively in those areas.

In light of these issues, some critics argue for reforms that would lead presidential candidates to campaign for votes nationwide, respecting each vote equally irrespective of state identity. Such changes promise a campaign landscape that encourages candidates to build more inclusive platforms that address the concerns of a broader electorate.

Thus, while the Founding Fathers envisioned the Electoral College as a check against the unwielded voting population and as a balance between big and small states, its current manifestation continues to stir significant debate over its influence on American political and electoral strategies. Reflecting on these complex dynamics underscores the ongoing need to examine and possibly recalibrate election systems to ensure they accord with democratic principles of equality, representation, and fairness. These principles remain pivotal in making each citizen feel that their vote is not only counted but truly counts in shaping the governance of their country.

• Neale TH. The Electoral College: How It Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections. Congressional Research Service; 2020.
• Edwards GC III. Why the Electoral College Is Bad for America. 3rd ed. Yale University Press; 2019.
• Koza J, Fadem B, Grueskin M, et al. Every Vote Equal: A State-Based Plan for Electing the President by National Popular Vote. National Popular Vote Press; 2013.

The Electoral College in the United States Thesis

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

The Electoral College is a group of selected voters who have the power to elect a candidate into a specific office. In the United States, the Electoral College is responsible for electing the president and vice president into the office (Sabato, 207). The constitution of the United States specifies the number of electors each state should have. Each of the state’s legislatures decides the manner of choosing its electors.

The electors have the task of casting votes for both the presidential candidate and the vice president. In the long run, the presidential candidate is usually not chosen by the majority vote but by the electors. The idea of Electoral College has elicited mixed feelings among political scientists, scholars and critiques. This paper discusses cases for and against the Electoral College in the United States.

Political analysts believe that the existence of the Electoral College has led to the development of the United States as a nation. This is because the Electoral College has led leaders to consider the less populous states in their campaigns and policymaking. Taking a case scenario where leaders were elected by popular votes, most of them would have assumed the less populous states and consider the urban states.

This means that the Electoral College prevents victory that is solely dependent on urban areas. Candidates are encouraged to take a much wider approach in their campaigns in order to win the elections. Therefore, due to the existence of the Electoral College, states that are less populous are being considered in policy making thus encouraging development throughout the United States.

Proponents believe that the Electoral College has enhanced the process of power separation in the government. The constitution was enacted to ensure that no single individual commanded a lot of power in the country. Therefore, the power of the government was separated into three branches: the judiciary, legislature, and the executive (Chang, 2007).

These branches provided a check to the idea of totalitarianism. According to the proponents, a president elected by popular vote asserts a popular support from the nation. This may lead to the president undermining the other branches of government such as the judiciary and the legislature.

However, the idea of an Electoral College is not without criticism. Critiques believe that the Electoral College bestows a lot of power to some states. Habitually, the candidate with the highest number of votes in a state receives the state’s entire electoral vote.

Critiques argue that this is wrong because some states have a history of consistently voting uniformly for either the Democrat party or the Republican Party. In cases where the state votes in a ‘blanket’ manner, candidates withdraw their attention from these states pay attention to the more populous states without a clear favorite.

Critiques have also argued that the idea of an electoral college discourages the voter turnout. This is because candidates with the highest proportion of votes in each state receive all the electoral votes especially in states where there is a clear favorite. In such cases, other voters usually feel that their votes will not have much impact. In most cases, candidates in states with a clear favorite do not campaign for voter turnout. The exception of this case can only be detected in the states with a large ‘swing’.

Different people have different opinions in cases concerning the Electoral College. Supporters believe that the Electoral College enhances the process of power separation. On the other hand, critiques believe that the process discourage voter turnout. The question of an electoral college has become a question of personal opinion and each person is entitled to his or her opinion on the matter.

Chang, S. (2007). Updating the Electoral College: The National Popular Vote Legislation. Harvard Journal on Legislation , 44(1), 205- 208.

Sabato, L. (2007). A More Perfect Constitution. New York: Walker Publishing Company.

• Aspects of Presidential Elections
• The 2016 U.S. Election
• United States National Presidential Elections
• Electoral Systems and a Country’s Politics
• "New Voter Suppression Efforts Prove the Voting Rights Act Is Still Needed" by Ari Berman
• Whether Cognitive Dissonance Plays a Role in the Elections and the Voting Process?
• Political Campaigns Matter: Here's Why
• The Government of US
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, May 20). The Electoral College in the United States. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-electoral-college-thesis/

"The Electoral College in the United States." IvyPanda , 20 May 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/the-electoral-college-thesis/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'The Electoral College in the United States'. 20 May.

IvyPanda . 2019. "The Electoral College in the United States." May 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-electoral-college-thesis/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Electoral College in the United States." May 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-electoral-college-thesis/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Electoral College in the United States." May 20, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-electoral-college-thesis/.

Home / Essay Samples / Government / Elections / Electoral College

Electoral College Essay Examples

Why we should abolish the electoral college in america.

The Electoral College has long been a subject of debate and controversy in American politics. While it has been a part of the U.S. presidential election system since its inception, many argue that it is an outdated and undemocratic institution that no longer serves the...

Should the Electoral College Be Abolished

In 1787, the Framers devised a voting system which was, in the words of Alexander Hamilton: “If not perfect, then at least excellent”.In this system, called the Electoral College, voters vote for electors who then cast their votes in a secret ballot on the first...

Should the Electoral College Be Abolished in America

The Electoral College, a unique and often debated component of the American electoral system, has played a significant role in shaping the nation's presidential elections since its inception in 1787. This essay will meticulously examine the arguments for and against the abolition of the Electoral...

The Power of Popularity in the Election Process

Throughout the four years of high school, every year a 2 week-long event known as the “co-prime” or co-priminister election lead by student leadership class would give students an opportunity to cast their vote for their preferred candidate. This election would consist of four to...

The Electoral College in the United States

There have been countless arguments regarding representation in our country. Since the beginning of its creation. The original purpose of the Electoral College was to help and see differing state and federal interests see eye to eye, provide and promote popular participation in the elections,...

Pros and Cons of the Electoral College

The Electoral College is a fantastically debated theme in the political world. Mostly due to the fact not many voters are knowledgeable on what the vote casting gadget to choose a president is. The Electoral College is a vote casting machine that was once put...

The Political Awareness and Voting Behavioramong College Students 

This part on related literature and studies by noted researchers, scholars, and parallel local researchers had been selected to support the objectives of the study. More specifically, this portion will present the point of view of different authorities on political awareness and voting behavior among...

Dapat Tama: the Philippine Electoral System Perspective

The purchase of elections is a phenomenon in Philippine politics that political candidates who use them as political strategies clandestinely practice as underground activities. The study investigated the phenomenon of voting acquisition in the Philippines during periodic national and local elections. It used sub-data from...

Voting with the Electoral College

Democracy. It’s a term often used in the United States when discussing politics, but do we really know what it means for the average citizen? When the Electoral College comes into play, chosen electors get to vote for the United States’ destiny. The Electoral College...

Trying to find an excellent essay sample but no results?

Don’t waste your time and get a professional writer to help!

You may also like

• Reign of Terror
• Voting Essays
• Community Policing Essays
• War on Drugs Essays
• Constitution Essays
• Police Brutality Essays
• Transportation Essays
• Marxism Essays
• Public Transport Essays
• Social Security Essays
• Jrotc Essays

About Electoral College

The Electoral College was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as an alternative to electing the president by popular vote or by Congress.

The United States Electoral College is a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president. In general its a body of electors chosen or appointed by a larger group.

Each state appoints electors pursuant to the methods described by its legislature, equal in number to its congressional delegation (senators and representatives). A total of 538 electors form the Electoral College. Each elector casts one vote following the general election. The candidate who gets 270 votes or more wins.

Nebraska and Maine are the only states that do not automatically award all of their electors to the winner of the state popular vote. On rare occasions, electors do not vote as pledged. More Constitutional amendments have been proposed to reform or eliminate the Electoral College than on any other subject. A similar electoral college was previously used by the Holy Roman Empire.On rare occasions, electors do not vote as pledged.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->