THEORIGINSANDTRANSFORMATIONOFTHEELECTORALCOLLEGE.pptVIP

THE ORIGINS AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE Conflicting Assessments of the Framers’ Presidential Selections System Hamiltons assessment: “if not perfect, at least excellent” [Federalist 68] Subsequent evaluations and proposed constitutional amendments Part of a generally elitist and anti-democratic constitution A last-minute jerry-built compromise A brilliantly designed compromise of diverse considerations The embodiment of well-thought selection criteria [James Ceaser, Presidential Selection] A non-partisan selection system Rapidly transformed accommodate the political parties that formed almost immediately. Menu of Basic Options Selection by states Selection by National Legislature [Congress] Selection by the people Mixed systems first round (“nomination”) second round (“election” or “runoff”) “intermediate electors” Refining the Options Selection by states election by state legislatures election by an “executive council” of state executives one state, one vote? Refining the Options (cont.) Selection by National Legislature (Congress) standard state-level practice at the time the “default option” found in both Virginia and New Jersey plans Relation to the character of National Legislature probably bicameral selection by the House by individual representative by state delegations selection by the Senate selection by the whole Congress by joint ballot by concurrent ballot [like laws] Refining the Options (cont.) Popular election the New York (and Massachusetts) precedent Variants direct popular election indirect popular election through inter-mediate electors legislative runoff The “Three-Dimensional Chess Game” The selection system Term of office short term (one or two years) medium term (four years) long term (seven years) good behavior Re-eligibility for selection Strategic Calculations “Nationalist” objections to election by states too much like the Articles of Confederation Strategic Calculations (cont.) “Separationist” objections to legisl