Podcast: Should we abolish the Electoral College?
This week, We the People explores the history and purpose of the Electoral College.
Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution establishes the process of presidential selection. States are directed to “appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors” who then cast ballots for President and Vice President.
In 2016, for the second time in 16 years and for only the fifth time in U.S. history, a presidential candidate won a majority of the Electoral College but lost the popular vote. This has led to calls to reform or abolish the system.
Joining We the People to present the best arguments for and against the Electoral College are two leading historians and political scientists.
Alex Keyssar is the Matthew W. Stirling Jr. Professor of History and Social Policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
James Ceaser is Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia and a member of the Constitution Center’s Coalition of Freedom Advisory Board.
This show was engineered by Jason Gregory and produced by Nicandro Iannacci. Research was provided by Lana Ulrich. The host of We the People is Jeffrey Rosen.
Get the latest constitutional news, and continue the conversation, on Facebook and Twitter.
We want to know what you think of the podcast! Email us at editor@constitutioncenter.org.
Please subscribe to We the People and our companion podcast, Live at America’s Town Hall, on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.
We the People is a member of Slate’s Panoply network. Check out the full roster at Panoply.fm.
Despite our congressional charter, the National Constitution Center is a private nonprofit; we receive little government support, and we rely on the generosity of people around the country who are inspired by our nonpartisan mission of constitutional debate and education. Please consider becoming a member to support our work, including this podcast. Visit constitutioncenter.org to learn more.
Recent Stories on Constitution Daily
When can a constitutional issue be avoided?
Flag burning and the First Amendment: Yet another look at the two
