Electoral College Reform

Why hasn't the United States reformed the Electoral College system, and how can it best do so? This volume brings together new essays by law professors and political scientists to address these questions, examining the reasons for reform, the issues surrounding a Constitutional amendment, the effect of the Electoral College on political campaigns and government policymaking, and the possibilities for extra-Constitutional avenues to change.

The United States has not updated the Electoral College system since the Twelfth Amendment was ratified in 1804, despite public opinion polls showing a majority of Americans are in favor of changing or outright abolishing it. So why hasn't the United States reformed this system? Electoral College Reform brings together new essays examining all aspects of this crucial debate, including the reasons for reform, the issues surrounding a constitutional amendment, the effect of the Electoral College on political campaigns and the possibilities for extra-constitutional avenues to change. The authors consider both the Federalists' vision of balanced representation and a more democratic and equality-based ideal. These competing frameworks, perhaps more than any other factor, account for centuries of American indecision on this key issue. By offering an unprecedented and carefully researched analysis of an always controversial subject, this volume explores the potential for changing a system that many contend is long overdue.

'The Electoral College system of selecting presidents has confused citizens and intrigued scholars for decades. This edited collection systematically lays out the origins, operations, and options for changing the Electoral College system. Those who favor or oppose proposals to change the system will find ammunition for their arguments as well as judicious analyses of the options for change.' James P. Pfiffner, George Mason University, USA 'Can the Electoral College, seemingly the glaring anomaly in American electoral democracy, be eliminated or reformed? Editor Gary Bugh has assembled a stellar set of articles with findings and analyses that address this question from many angles, adding up to the richest treatment of Electoral College reform we possess.' Bruce Miroff, University at Albany, State University of New York, USA 'The strength of the book is the detailed information on the Electoral College, lobbying of Electors, congressional resolutions proposing a constitutional amendment to replace the College with a direct national popular vote, experience with Elector Districts in Maine and Nebraska, and description of proposals for change.' Representation and Electoral Systems

Autorentext

Gary Bugh is Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, where he teaches American Political Theory, Constitutional Law, Federalism, Intergovernmental Politics, the Presidency, and Political Parties.

Inhalt
I: Thinking About Electoral College Reform; Introduction: Approaching Electoral College Reform; 1: Representation in Congressional Efforts to Amend the Presidential Election System; 2: A Mere Deceptiona Mere Ignus Fatus on the People of America: Lifting the Veil on the Electoral College; 3: If the Manner of It Be Not Perfect: Thinking Through Electoral College Reform; II: Challenges of Electoral College Reform; 4: The Electoral College and Democratic Responsiveness; 5: The Challenge of Contemporary Electoral College Reform; 6: Systemic Biases Affecting Congressional Voting on Electoral College Reform; 7: Compact Risk: Some Downsides to Establishing National Plurality Presidential Elections by Contingent Legislation; 8: Exploring the Difficulties of Electoral College Reform at the State Level: Maine and Nebraska Lead the Way; 9: Comparative Presidential Selection: A Cautionary Tale; III: Possibilities of Electoral College Reform; 10: Lobbying the Electoral College: The Potential for Chaos; 11: Electoral College Incentives and Presidential Actions: A Case for Reform?; 12: Current Electoral College Reform Efforts Among the States; 13: The Good, the Better, the Best: Improving on the Acceptable Electoral College; 14: Pipe Dream or Possibility? Amending the U.S. Constitution to Achieve Electoral Reform; Conclusion: Understanding Electoral College Reform