The Electoral College

4 Pages 918 Words

A major conflict concerning the electoral college lingers in America. The
Constitutional Convention created the college in 1789 in hopes that it would be an
adequate system (MacBride 29). The electoral college consists of senators and
representatives who cast their votes for the state they represent. Those who feel that the
college should remain as it is believe that the American people are too uninformed about
election issues to vote. The argument for the modification of the college maintains that the
people are not actually electing the president, but the larger states are. Ultimately, the
majority of the United States citizens support the elimination of an electoral college that
serves no purpose in the government.

The argument in favor of the continuation of the electoral college holds that it
represents an effective institution. First, the format of the college demonstrates its validity.
The amount of electoral votes awarded to each state, extremely critical in elections,
remains decided by the number of senators and representatives in Congress (Polsby 45).
Many politicians find the existing system extremely efficient because they feel the electors
well represent their constituents (Best 52). In addition, the electoral college’s ability to
efficiently serve its purpose provides a reason for its long existence. “An electoral system
should produce a definite, accepted winner and avoid prolonged contests and disputes that
create uncertainty and public turmoil” (Best 210). Moreover, never in the history of the
electoral college has a controversy developed in which the college rejected “an individual
who had an undisputed majority of the popular vote” (Best 52). Most importantly, those
who agree with preserving the electoral college believe that election by popular vote, the
alternative to the college, would create numerous deficiencies in the system. Election by
direct popular vote would be “hazard...