Good overview of the electoral college system

[southlandshari]

For those, like me, who aren't afraid to admit they need a good refresher course! I've always understood the mechanics of our system, just hated its implications for someone like me who always votes blue in a state that always goes red!

The 2000 presidential election obviously increased my frustrations exponentially, and strengthened my gut feeling that changes are needed in our system. Since many years have passed since my last civics course, though, I wanted to update my understanding of how the electoral college started and how it has evolved over the years.

This site from the Jackson County, MO, election board includes an interesting history of the electoral college, notes on its impact on elections throughout American history, and some interesting pros and cons on it today.

http://jceb.co.jackson.mo.us/fun_stuff/electoral_college.htm

[southlandshari]

1. addendum

I don't necessarily agree or disagree with the conclusions of the author of the piece on the electoral college. I have only scanned the article - it is pretty long and detailed. It just appears to be a pretty comprehensive look at its history and application, so I thought it was worth sharing!

[Yupster]

2. In the original Constitution,

the system of choosing a president is unrecognizable from today.

The state legislatures would pick electors, presumably well known, learned people. There were no political parties.

The electors would vote for people they thought would make a good president. It was not assumed that people would campaign for president.

You might have 50 different people get electoral votes. Basically, the electors would nominate people.

The House of Representatives would choose a president from one of the top five electoral vote leaders.

There was no popular vote for president.
There was no winner take all system for electoral votes.

Those both came later.