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The Pros And Cons Of The Electoral College

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The Electoral College: A Safeguard of Federalism or an Outdated Institution?

Emily Gerard
Professor Ethridge
Government & Politics
27 June 2015

The Electoral College is a controversial institution and beginning with the 12th amendment there have been periodic attempts to reform it. In fact, “The provisions for electing the President and Vice President have been among the most amended in the Constitution.” In the debate over the existence and structure of the Electoral College two major camps have emerged, which I will term the “Federalist” and the “Populist” camps. There is a great deal of debate within these two camps on which is more in line with the “original intent” of the founding fathers. However, …show more content…

They believe that, “Contrary to modern perceptions, the founding generation did not intend to create a direct democracy” and they believe that the Electoral College is an important component of Federalism. In my paper I will refer to this camp as the “Federalist” camp.”
In the second camp which I will refer to as the “Populist” camp there are those like the American Bar Association who believe that the institution as it exists is “archaic, undemocratic, complex, ambiguous, indirect, and dangerous.” Those in this camp believe that the electoral college needs to be removed from the election process or at least undergo major reform to ensure that the president of the United States is elected by popular …show more content…

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Muller, Derek T.1,2. "Invisible Federalism and the Electoral College."
Arizona State Law Journal 44, no. 3 (Fall 2012): 1237-1292. Index to Legal Periodicals & Books Full Text (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost (accessed June 26, 2015). "National Popular Vote -- Electoral College Reform by Direct Election of the President."
National Popular Vote. Accessed June 25, 2015.
Ross, Tara. "The Electoral College: Enlightened Democracy." The Heritage Foundation.
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Saad, Lydia. "Americans Call for Term Limits, End to Electoral College." Gallup. January 18,
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Sutton, Victoria. "The Electoral College — Now, More Than Ever." University Of Florida
Journal Of Law & Public Policy 13, no. 1 (October 15, 2001): 103-116. Index to Legal Periodicals & Books Full Text (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost (accessed June 26, 2015
Williams, Norman R. "Why the National Popular Vote Compact Is Unconstitutional." Brigham
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