Letter: The Electoral College

As so many have said “It needs to go away.” I have completed an analysis of the actual minutes of the Federal Constitutional Convention of May 25, 1787 through September 17 1787, which set out the arguments for and against the Electoral College.

The following arguments, which can quickly be identified as no longer valid, pertain to the establishment of the Electors: Argument #1: James Madison-pg. 57, July 19, 1787 “There was one difficulty however of a serious nature attending an immediate choice by the people. The right of suffrage was much more diffusive in the Northern than the Southern States; and the latter could have no influence in the election on the score of the Negroes. The substitution of electors obviated this difficulty and seemed on the whole to be liable to the fewest objections.” Since the institution of the 3/5ths compromise, the Representatives could now count 3/5ths of their slaves.

Argument #2: Mr. Gerry: - pg. 57, July 19, 1787 “He was agst. a popular election. The people are uninformed and would be misled by a few designing men.” As we know - with the advent of radio, television, and the internet, “the people are now informed.”

Arguments #1 and #2 were the major issues that decided our current Electoral system. Since those arguments are no longer legitimate and as we have seen from the January 6, 2021, fiasco what can happen regarding the Electoral College, it is time to put an end to this archaic method and “let the people choose their President and Vice President directly.

PJ Estlund

Crescent City