Hoover InstitutionStanford University
The Surprising Reason To Keep The Electoral College

Published on April 15, 2020

Many people believe we should abolish the Electoral College, but it serves important purposes. The Electoral College system requires candidates to broaden their national appeal and discourages extreme policy positions. Abolishing the Electoral College would worsen political polarization and partisanship.

 Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the Electoral College protect minority rights better than a majority vote?
  2. How might the ability to hold recounts at a national level make elections more difficult?

Additional resources:

  • Read “Electoral College,” by John Cochrane via the Grumpy Economist. Available here. 
  • Read “Why the Electoral College Is a Great Idea,” by John Cochrane via the Grumpy Economist. Available here. 
  • Read “Beware of Faithless Electors” by Richard Epstein. Available here.

Cast

John H. Cochrane

John H. Cochrane

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