Why Do We Still Have the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is an arcane institution that permits the loser of the popular vote to become president and narrows campaigns to swing states. Harvard professor Alexander Keyssar explains its confounding persistence, tracing its origins to the Constitutional Convention and outlining the constant stream of efforts to abolish or reform it. He reveals the reasons for past failures and shows how close we've come to abolishing it, offering encouragement to those hoping for change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Harvard University Press

The Electoral College, a peculiar institution in American democracy, has long puzzled and frustrated millions of citizens. Every four years, voters wonder why their president is chosen through an arcane system that allows the loser of the popular vote to become president and narrows campaigns to swing states. Despite numerous attempts by Congress to alter or scuttle the Electoral College, it has remained stubbornly persistent. In this comprehensive and insightful master class in American political history, renowned Harvard professor Alexander Keyssar delves into the origins and evolution of the Electoral College.

Tracing its roots back to the Constitutional Convention, Keyssar explores the ongoing efforts to abolish or reform it. He examines the complex factors that have contributed to its failure, including the design's complexity, partisan one-upmanship, the difficulty of passing constitutional amendments, and the South's long history of restrictive voting laws. By revealing the reasons for past failures and showcasing how close we have come to abolishing the Electoral College, Keyssar provides encouragement to those seeking change.

"Conclusively demonstrates the absurdity of preserving an institution that has been so contentious throughout U.S. history and has not infrequently produced results that defied the popular will," writes Michael Kazin of The Nation. "Rigorous and highly readable," according to Lawrence Douglas of the Times Literary Supplement, "shows how the electoral college has endured despite being reviled by statesmen from James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Andrew Jackson to Edward Kennedy, Bob Dole, and Gerald Ford."

The Electoral College's enduring presence raises important questions about the balance of power in the United States and the democratic process. While it has served as a safeguard against the election of unqualified or unpopular candidates, it has also allowed for the election of presidents who do not receive the majority of the popular vote. This has led to concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral system and the potential for disenfranchisement of certain groups of voters.

As the nation continues to grapple with the challenges of democracy and representation, the debate over the Electoral College is likely to remain a topic of discussion and contention. Keyssar's book offers valuable insights into the history and complexities of this institution, providing a deeper understanding of its origins, evolution, and potential reform. It serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, citizens, and scholars alike as they seek to navigate the challenges of democratic governance in the 21st century.

Weight: 766g
Dimension: 147 x 225 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674278592