Why Was The Electoral College Created Quizlet

The Electoral College is a system established by the U.S. Constitution for electing the president and vice president. Instead of directly voting for a candidate, citizens vote for a slate of electors, who then cast the actual votes for president. The creation of the Electoral College was the result of numerous compromises during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, addressing concerns from both large and small states, as well as those who favored direct democracy and those who feared it. Understanding why the Electoral College was created involves delving into the historical context, the diverse interests of the Founding Fathers, and the specific problems they sought to solve.

Historical Context: The Constitutional Convention of 1787

The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia in May 1787 with the initial goal of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, it quickly became apparent that a new form of government was needed. One of the most contentious issues was how to elect the president. Several options were considered and debated extensively, each with its own set of challenges:

• Direct Popular Vote: Some delegates advocated for a direct popular vote, where each citizen would cast a vote, and the candidate with the most votes would win. This approach was favored by the more democratic-minded delegates who believed in the will of the people.
• Election by Congress: Another proposal was to have the president elected by the Congress. This approach was supported by those who distrusted the general public's ability to make informed decisions. They believed that an educated and experienced legislature would be better suited to choose the nation's leader.
• Election by State Legislatures: A third option was to have state legislatures elect the president. This approach aimed to preserve states' rights and give states a significant role in the election process.

Each of these options presented its own set of problems:

• Direct Popular Vote Concerns:
  • Lack of Information: Many delegates feared that the average citizen would not be informed enough to make a wise choice.
  • Regionalism: There were concerns that candidates would focus on densely populated areas, ignoring the needs of smaller states.
  • Slavery: Southern states worried that their large enslaved populations, who could not vote, would put them at a disadvantage compared to the more populous Northern states.
• Election by Congress Concerns:
  • Separation of Powers: This method could blur the lines between the executive and legislative branches, potentially leading to undue influence and corruption.
  • Factionalism: There was a fear that Congress would become embroiled in political infighting and be unable to make an impartial decision.
• Election by State Legislatures Concerns:
  • Lack of National Unity: This approach could reinforce the idea of states as separate entities rather than a unified nation.
  • Potential for Corruption: State legislatures could be susceptible to manipulation and bribery.

The Great Compromise and the Electoral College

Given the deadlock over the various proposals, the creation of the Electoral College was a compromise. It sought to balance the interests of both the large and small states, as well as those who advocated for popular sovereignty and those who were wary of it. Key aspects of the compromise included:

• State Representation: Each state would be allocated a number of electors equal to its total number of senators (always two) and representatives in Congress (based on population). This addressed the concerns of both large and small states. Larger states would have more electors due to their higher population, while smaller states were guaranteed a minimum of three electors regardless of their size.
• Electors as Intermediaries: The electors would be chosen by the states, allowing each state to decide how its electors would be selected. In most states today, electors are chosen by political parties. When citizens vote in a presidential election, they are technically voting for these electors, who have pledged to support a particular candidate.
• Contingency Election: In the event that no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the election would be decided by the House of Representatives, with each state getting one vote. This provision was included to ensure that there would always be a clear winner, even in a close election.

Key Reasons for the Electoral College

Several factors contributed to the Founding Fathers' decision to create the Electoral College:

1. Compromise Between Large and Small States

One of the most significant reasons for the Electoral College was to strike a balance between the interests of large and small states. The allocation of electors based on the total number of senators and representatives ensured that smaller states would have a voice in the election process that was disproportionately larger than their population alone would allow. Without this compromise, it is unlikely that the smaller states would have agreed to ratify the Constitution.

2. Distrust of Direct Democracy

Many of the Founding Fathers were wary of pure direct democracy. They feared that the general public might not always be well-informed or capable of making sound decisions about who should be president. They believed that an Electoral College composed of presumably knowledgeable and discerning individuals would act as a buffer between the public and the selection of the president. Alexander Hamilton, in The Federalist Papers, argued that the Electoral College would ensure that "the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications."

3. Logistical Challenges

In the late 18th century, communication and transportation were limited. It would have been difficult to conduct a nationwide popular vote efficiently. The Electoral College provided a practical solution by allowing each state to conduct its own election and then send its electors to a central location to cast their votes.

4. Slavery and Representation

Slavery played a crucial role in the creation of the Electoral College. Southern states had large enslaved populations, who were not allowed to vote. However, under the Constitution's Three-Fifths Compromise, enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation in Congress. This gave Southern states more representatives in the House and, consequently, more electors in the Electoral College than they would have had if only free people were counted. This provision was a concession to the Southern states to ensure their participation in the Union.

5. Preventing Tyranny of the Majority

The Electoral College was also intended to prevent what the Founding Fathers called the "tyranny of the majority." They worried that a candidate could win the presidency by appealing to a few densely populated areas, ignoring the needs and concerns of the rest of the country. The Electoral College, with its state-based allocation of electors, was designed to ensure that candidates would need to build broad coalitions across different states and regions to win the presidency.

Evolution and Modern Implications

Over time, the role and function of the Electoral College have evolved. Today, in almost all states, electors are pledged to support the candidate who wins the popular vote in their state. This means that the Electoral College generally reflects the popular vote outcome, although there have been exceptions.

Faithless Electors

A faithless elector is an elector who does not vote for the candidate they have pledged to support. While faithless electors are rare, they have occurred in U.S. history. In some states, laws exist to prevent or penalize faithless electors, but their impact on presidential elections has been minimal.

Controversial Elections

Several presidential elections have been decided by the Electoral College despite the winner losing the popular vote. These elections have sparked controversy and debate about the fairness and legitimacy of the Electoral College. Notable examples include:

• 1824: Andrew Jackson won the popular vote but did not receive a majority of electoral votes. The election was ultimately decided by the House of Representatives, which chose John Quincy Adams as president.
• 1876: Rutherford B. Hayes won the Electoral College vote by a narrow margin, despite Samuel Tilden winning the popular vote.
• 2000: George W. Bush won the Electoral College vote, while Al Gore won the popular vote.
• 2016: Donald Trump won the Electoral College vote, while Hillary Clinton won the popular vote.

Arguments For and Against the Electoral College

The Electoral College remains a subject of ongoing debate. Proponents argue that it protects the interests of small states, promotes national unity, and prevents the tyranny of the majority. Opponents argue that it is undemocratic, gives disproportionate power to swing states, and can lead to situations where the popular vote winner does not become president.

Arguments in Favor:

• Protects Small States: Ensures that candidates must campaign and appeal to voters in smaller states, not just densely populated areas.
• Promotes National Unity: Requires candidates to build broad coalitions across different regions and demographics.
• Prevents Tyranny of the Majority: Safeguards against a situation where a candidate wins by appealing to a narrow segment of the population.
• Historical Significance: Rooted in the compromises made during the Constitutional Convention and reflects the balance of power between states and the federal government.

Arguments Against:

• Undemocratic: Allows a candidate to win the presidency without winning the popular vote, undermining the principle of one person, one vote.
• Disproportionate Power to Swing States: Candidates tend to focus their resources on a few swing states, ignoring the needs and concerns of voters in other states.
• Voter Disenfranchisement: Can discourage voters in states where the outcome is perceived as predetermined.
• Risk of Faithless Electors: Although rare, faithless electors can potentially alter the outcome of an election.

Alternatives to the Electoral College

Several alternatives to the Electoral College have been proposed, including:

• National Popular Vote Interstate Compact: An agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. This would effectively ensure that the popular vote winner becomes president without requiring a constitutional amendment.
• Direct Popular Vote: Abolishing the Electoral College and electing the president based solely on the national popular vote. This would require a constitutional amendment and would likely face significant opposition from smaller states.
• Proportional Allocation of Electoral Votes: Awarding electoral votes based on the proportion of the popular vote a candidate receives in each state. This would more closely align the Electoral College outcome with the popular vote outcome.

Conclusion

The Electoral College was created out of a complex web of historical, political, and social factors. It was a compromise designed to balance the interests of large and small states, address concerns about direct democracy, and navigate the thorny issue of slavery. While it has evolved over time, the Electoral College continues to shape the American presidential election process and remains a topic of ongoing debate. Understanding its origins and the reasons behind its creation is essential for comprehending the complexities of American democracy. Whether it continues to serve its intended purpose in the 21st century is a question that Americans will likely continue to grapple with for years to come.