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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


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