The Importance of the Electoral College

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The Importance of the Electoral College Though our founding fathers created the Electoral College over 200 years ago, it has been changed with time to accommodate modern needs and is still an important and necessary part of our electoral system. The Electoral College ensures political stability in our nation by encouraging the two-party system and also protects the interests of minorities. Furthermore, the Electoral College helps maintain a united country by requiring widespread popular support of a candidate in order for him or her to become president. The Electoral College was first introduced to America at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, However, the idea behind the Electoral College can be traced back to the Roman Republic. Under the Centurial Assembly system, adult male citizens of Rome were split into groups of 100 called Centuries. Each group was allowed to cast only one vote on proposals given to them by the Roman Senate. This idea was modified at the Constitutional Convention to provide for the needs of the 13 states of America at the time. The idea of the Electoral College was favored over motions to have Congress choose the president, have the president decided by a popular vote, and have the state legislatures choose a president. The drafters of the constitution reasoned that if Congress chose the president, bargaining and deal-making would take over the process and produce scandal in every election. If the state legislatures chose the president, the candidates would have to cater to the needs of legislatures and the idea of a federation would be washed away. The problem with a popular vote for the presidency was that without adequate transportation, a national campaign could not be effectively run. ... ... middle of paper ... ...llege is not an archaic instrument that was put into the Constitution to protect the people of the United States from themselves. It is an equalizing force in the presidential election which ensures that the voice of every group in every section of the country is heard. Bibliography “The American Presidency.”Grolier, 28 Mar. 2001 . The Electoral College: Then, Now, and Tomorrow. Ask Jeeves. 28 Mar. 2001. Keyword: Electoral College. Frequently Asked Questions on the Electoral College. 29 Mar. 2001 . How the Electoral College Works. 28 Mar. 2001 . Kimberling, William C. “The Electoral College.” Diss. Grigg, William Norman. “Save the Electoral College!” The New American. Vol. 17, No. 1. 1 Jan. 2001

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