Admin What is the purpose of the Electoral College and why was it created?
The Electoral College As prescribed in the U.S. Constitution, American presidents are elected not directly by the people, but by the people’s electors. The Electoral College was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as an alternative to electing the president by popular vote or by Congress.
Why has the power and responsibility of the presidency increased?
Presidential power has grown significantly over time. One main reason for this is because as the role of the federal government has grown and the country has endured wars and other major crises, citizens have looked to the presidency for leadership.
Why is the Electoral College so controversial?
The electoral college is not a pure democracy. It is intended to be a check on the populace. The idea is that if the people make a mistake the members of the electoral college will overrule them. It’s controversial because some people think we should elect our own president.
Why should we keep the Electoral College?
A big part of the “why” for the need of the Electoral College is to protect the rights of the minorities. With democracies, it usually ends up with majority rules but by having the Electoral College in place it protects the rights of minorities by capping the power of the majority.
Can and should the Electoral College be abolished?
The electoral college has always had strong opponents who have argued that it should be abolished. Their reasons include the fact that, under certain circumstances, a president can be elected without winning the majority of electoral votes.
Can the Electoral College be hacked?
All the fears of hacking center around one necessary element: The vote has to be electronic in order to be hacked. The Electoral College, however, in no way functions electronically.