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6 Int'l J. Soc. Sci. Stud. 94 (2018)
The Electoral College: A Constitutional Needle in a Political Hay Stack

handle is hein.journals/ijsoctu6 and id is 226 raw text is: International Journal of Social Science Studies Vol 6, No. 2; February 2018 Fam e ISSN 2324-8033 E-ISSN 2324-8041 Published by Redfame Publishing URL: httpl/ijsss.redfame.com The Electoral College: A Constitutional Needle in a Political Hay Stack Anna M. Cox' M.A. in Political Science in American Government with graduate certificate in Ancient/Classical History from American Public University, United States Correspondence: Anna M. Cox, M.A. in Political Science in American Government with graduate certificate in Ancient/Classical History from American Public University, United States. Received: December 22, 2017 Accepted: January 15, 2018 Available online: January 18, 2018 doi: 10.111 14/ijsss.v6i2.2935 URL: https://doi.org/10. 111 14/ij sss.v6i2.2935 Abstract In examination of the constitutional and political institution of the Electoral College the research shows that throughout American politics and history the Electoral College always had and has a role of great political and historical influence. Furthermore the Electoral College has also been a source of much political and constitutional debate. This is an intriguing constitutional needle in a political hay stack for the simple fact that something appears to be insignificant and inconsequential until its time for the national presidential election to roll around every four years. Thus the Electoral College takes front and center of the national political stage as the collective national eyes are all on the presidential race and the ever so magical number of 270. How the Electoral College factors into American politics has been the subject of much political discussion relevant to how the president is elected, how the American public's voice is represented and how democratic of a political institution or representative system is the Electoral College. Through the sands of time of American history there has been camps of voices echoing concerns about the constitutional needle in a political hay stackof the Electoral College and its influential role in American politics. Keywords: Electoral College, 'We the People, representation, direct popular, national bonus proposal, congressional districts, proportional election 1. Introduction American Politics structurally comprises of a myriad of intricate facets that are at the heart of America's foundation, are constitutionality based and have been the source of great conflict and contention throughout America's political and historical past and present journey. Among some of America's most controversial constitutional doctrine have been, 'Popular severity', 'separation of power', 'checks and balances', the individual powers of each governmental branch. Relevant to states' rights other sources of extensive debate and contention have been how shall 'We the People' be represented, the presidency and the most influential contested and debated facet is the constitutional institution of the Electoral College. Thus in American politics one of the most controversial constitutionally designed components' is the constitutional needle in a political hay stack of the Electoral College; which its influential relevant role and purpose has been called into question as to whether or not it should remain in its current form, be altered or even abolished. Each camp of political thought on the Electoral College has much merit and supported evidence for their perspective cases. In understanding of the political controversy, one must have the ability to come to a conclusion, formulate and create a potential and plausible resolution of this constitutional controversial needle in a hay stack. Moreover there must be consideration and examination of numerous issues relevant to the Electoral College such as; the definition and structure of the Electoral College, the constitutionality of the Electoral College, the constitutional purposes and reasons for the Electoral College, the historical context of the Electoral College. Furthermore one must also consider the past and present examples of controversy surrounding the Electoral College (Presidential Elections of 1800, 1824, 1876, 1888, 1960 and 2000), the proposed arguments of each political position on the Electoral College, the potential solutions for the this constitutional controversy, and the historical influence the Electoral College has had on past and present American politics. 2. Defining the Constitutional Institution of the Electoral College In considering the Electoral College one should first have comprehension of the definition, structure and function of this constitutional institution. The political constitutional institution of the Electoral College was established in the second Article of the Constitution. First it is defined as being a body of electors chosen by the voters in each state to elect the 94

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