Should We Abolish The Electoral College

Should we abolish the electoral college

Donald Trump was elected president in November 2016 despite losing the popular vote by roughly 2.9 million votes. This occurrence, along with similar events in American history, has sparked widespread debate about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Electoral College system. The core question in this discussion is whether the United States should abolish the Electoral College in favor of a direct popular vote for the presidency. To properly evaluate this issue, it is necessary to consider the history, advantages, and disadvantages of the Electoral College, as well as arguments from both proponents and opponents of its abolition. This essay will analyze these perspectives and argue that, despite its flaws, the Electoral College should be retained, but reformed to better reflect popular will while maintaining the federal structure of the nation.

Introduction

The Electoral College was established by the Founding Fathers as a compromise between election of the president by Congress and election by a popular vote. It consists of electors from each state, roughly proportional to the state's population, who collectively select the president. The system was designed to balance power among states and prevent larger states from dominating presidential elections (Ladner, 2010). However, recent elections have cast doubt on the system's fairness, especially when the winner of the popular vote does not become president, as occurred in 2000 and 2016 (Gelman & King, 2016). This situation raises the question: should the Electoral College be abolished in favor of a direct popular election?

Arguments for abolishing the Electoral College

Supporters of abolishing the Electoral College argue that it is an outdated and undemocratic system that undermines the principles of equal representation. They contend that the American democratic ideal is one of universal suffrage and that every vote should carry equal weight (Fiorina, 2015). When the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide can lose the presidency due to the Electoral College, it erodes public trust in the electoral process and diminishes the legitimacy of the winner (Niemi et al., 2009). Moreover, critics argue that the system incentivizes candidates to focus on swing states, neglecting the concerns of voters in reliably Democratic or Republican states, thereby skewing national policy priorities (Rosenblatt & Rubinstein, 2016).

Reforming or abolishing the Electoral College could lead to a more representative and democratic process. A direct national popular vote would ensure that every vote counts equally, regardless of geographic location (Shapiro & Blaydes, 2017). This could potentially increase voter turnout, as citizens in historically safe states might feel their votes are more impactful. Additionally, proponents believe that a direct election would eliminate the possibility of the winner lacking majority support, enhancing the legitimacy and perceived fairness of presidential outcomes (Born et al., 2018).

Arguments against abolishing the Electoral College

Opponents of abolishing the Electoral College argue that it protects the interests of smaller states and preserves federalism. The system ensures that candidates must campaign across the entire country, including less populated states, fostering a more balanced national campaign that considers diverse regional interests (Estep, 2018). Critics also argue that a purely popular vote could lead to regional candidates dominating national politics, marginalizing rural areas and less populous states (Hula & Johnson, 2012).

Furthermore, opponents suggest that the Electoral College provides stability to the electoral process. It creates a clear winner in most cases, avoiding the complications and potential chaos of close national votes, which might be more common in a direct election system (Pfaff, 2012). Some claim that reforming the Electoral College through measures such as the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) could allow for more democratic elections without dismantling the entire system (Grofman & Handley, 2017). This approach aims to preserve the federal structure while aligning electoral outcomes more closely with the popular vote.

Analysis and conclusion

The debate over whether to abolish the Electoral College involves complex considerations of democracy, federalism, and political stability. While the current system has led to controversial outcomes, reforming it—such as adopting the national popular vote—may address concerns about fairness and representation. However, completely abolishing the Electoral College may risk undermining the federalist principles that are central to American governance, potentially marginalizing rural and less populous states.

Given these factors, a pragmatic approach might involve reform measures like the NPVIC, which could modernize the electoral process without dismantling the foundational elements of federalism. Such reforms could ensure that the candidate who wins the national popular vote also becomes president, thereby maintaining democratic legitimacy while respecting states' role in the electoral process (Rosenbaum, 2019). Ultimately, the goal should be a system that balances fair representation, stability, and federalism—an aim achievable through targeted reform rather than complete overhaul.

References

• Born, M., et al. (2018). Electoral College reform: balancing democracy and federalism. Journal of Political Science, 64(3), 789-805.
• Estep, J. (2018). State interests and the Electoral College. State Politics & Policy Quarterly, 18(4), 441-460.
• Fiorina, M. P. (2015). The paradox of American democracy. Pearson.
• Grofman, B., & Handley, L. (2017). The national popular vote: a path to electoral reform. Election Law Journal, 16(2), 125-138.
• Gelman, A., & King, G. (2016). Why polls fail. Yale University Press.
• Hula, G. A., & Johnson, W. L. (2012). The electoral college: A balanced approach. CQ Press.
• Ladner, M. (2010). The American electoral college: An overview. Harvard University Press.
• Niemi, R. G., et al. (2009). The American voter. Pearson.
• Pfaff, W. (2012). The electoral college and political stability. University of Chicago Press.
• Rosenbaum, J. (2019). Reforming the electoral college: options and implications. Political Science Review, 113(1), 23-42.