Robert M. Alexander
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- April 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780190939427
- eISBN:
- 9780190939465
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190939427.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics, Democratization
This chapter examines the office and evolution of presidential electors. It also provides an in-depth examination of those who have served as electors over the past two decades. The office changed ...
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This chapter examines the office and evolution of presidential electors. It also provides an in-depth examination of those who have served as electors over the past two decades. The office changed considerably from its original conception to its current practice. Originally, it was expected that electors would select the president and vice president through debate and their own discernment. The emergence of political parties and the adoption of the winner-take-all system rendered this conception of electors as obsolete. Electors have come to be chosen not for their judgment but for their loyalty. To this point, electors who fail to vote as expected are deemed to be “faithless.” Although expectations of the office have changed, the Constitution has not, and electors continue to hold discretion. Surveys of electors reveal that many consider joining the ranks of the faithless and are often lobbied to do so.Less
This chapter examines the office and evolution of presidential electors. It also provides an in-depth examination of those who have served as electors over the past two decades. The office changed considerably from its original conception to its current practice. Originally, it was expected that electors would select the president and vice president through debate and their own discernment. The emergence of political parties and the adoption of the winner-take-all system rendered this conception of electors as obsolete. Electors have come to be chosen not for their judgment but for their loyalty. To this point, electors who fail to vote as expected are deemed to be “faithless.” Although expectations of the office have changed, the Constitution has not, and electors continue to hold discretion. Surveys of electors reveal that many consider joining the ranks of the faithless and are often lobbied to do so.
Robert M. Alexander
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- April 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780190939427
- eISBN:
- 9780190939465
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190939427.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics, Democratization
This book evaluates the Electoral College as it relates to relevant theories of representation. The purpose of the study is to help readers understand the ways in which the institution does or does ...
More
This book evaluates the Electoral College as it relates to relevant theories of representation. The purpose of the study is to help readers understand the ways in which the institution does or does not align with expectations relating to representative democracy. In the aftermath of the 2016 election, heated calls to abolish the Electoral College were made in large part because the winning candidate received nearly 3 million fewer votes from across the country than his opponent. At the same time, many lauded the institution for working as intended—particularly as it relates to federalism. The Electoral College is a unique institution. It is also one of the most debated institutions in American politics. Many arguments concerning the body—it protects less populated states, it helps preserve federalism, it violates the one-person, one-vote principle, it forces candidates to produce broad-based coalitions—rarely receive the depth of attention they deserve. This book sets out to do this by examining the origin, evolution, and practice of the Electoral College. Much of the controversy relating to the institution revolves around whether we rely on the original or the evolved Electoral College to inform our perspective. Understanding the origin and evolution of the body allows us to more appropriately evaluate contemporary arguments over the institution. In addition to looking at common arguments relating to the Electoral College, this study pays particular attention to its role in the 2016 election and the often overlooked but essential position of presidential electors.Less
This book evaluates the Electoral College as it relates to relevant theories of representation. The purpose of the study is to help readers understand the ways in which the institution does or does not align with expectations relating to representative democracy. In the aftermath of the 2016 election, heated calls to abolish the Electoral College were made in large part because the winning candidate received nearly 3 million fewer votes from across the country than his opponent. At the same time, many lauded the institution for working as intended—particularly as it relates to federalism. The Electoral College is a unique institution. It is also one of the most debated institutions in American politics. Many arguments concerning the body—it protects less populated states, it helps preserve federalism, it violates the one-person, one-vote principle, it forces candidates to produce broad-based coalitions—rarely receive the depth of attention they deserve. This book sets out to do this by examining the origin, evolution, and practice of the Electoral College. Much of the controversy relating to the institution revolves around whether we rely on the original or the evolved Electoral College to inform our perspective. Understanding the origin and evolution of the body allows us to more appropriately evaluate contemporary arguments over the institution. In addition to looking at common arguments relating to the Electoral College, this study pays particular attention to its role in the 2016 election and the often overlooked but essential position of presidential electors.
