Discussion Group 2 - South Hills - Electoral College

This month's topic: The Electoral College—Time for a Change? The 2000 and 2016 presidential elections resulted in the victories of candidates who lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College. It could happen again—perhaps as soon as 2020. The American people, along with their political and intellectual leaders, are sharply divided on this issue. There are three main competing positions: (1) a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College and instituting direct popular vote, (2) achieving direct popular election of the president without a constitutional amendment via the pending National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, and (3) retaining the status quo. What are the pros and cons of each position?

Suggested reading:

Alan E. Johnson, "The Electoral College—Time for a Change?" 7/6/2018, https://www.academia.edu/36794027/The_Electoral_College_Time_for_a_Change

Alan E. Johnson, The Electoral College: Failures of Original Intent and a Proposed Constitutional Amendment for Direct Popular Vote (2018), https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692078320/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1520456240&sr=1-1.

"Hardball" video debate (7 minutes) on National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, 3/20/2019, https://www.makingeveryvotecount.com/mevc-press-hardball

Tara Ross, The Indispensable Electoral College: How the Founders' Plan Saves Our Country from Mob Rule (2017), https://www.amazon.com/Indispensable-Electoral-College-Founders-Country-ebook/dp/B072FK8W7X/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1556673884&sr=1-2

General discussion group info:

PFC Monthly discussion groups are open to all - if the topic interests you, you'll be welcome! Casual dress. Discussion is moderated but informal - speak up as much or little as you wish. If you have any suggestions/ideas for a topic or category to discuss, please feel free to submit them to: info@pghfreethought.org