Article 2, Section 1, Paragraph 2
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
So What Happened?
This idea of an electoral college divided the house when it was proposed to go into the Constitution and resulted in being a great compromise. Direct vote of the people was rejected by vote twice, and agreement was reached only toward the end of the Convention. Some knew that this would divide the outside elements as well, and cause discussions ever afterward.
There is a problem that goes beyond the plan adopted by the “Constitutional Fathers.” The plan has never been followed as prescribed. This passage has been Amended, but even the Amendment is not followed. The fact that the electors have not been independent agents to vote as they deem fit is one problematic area that has been ignored throughout the life of the Constitution.
The problem with the Presidential office begins with the disregard of how this person is elected. Even though the Constitution has been changed, it has not changed that much in this area. The political party stranglehold should be shut down by a return to the rules. One would have a very strong case that our Presidents were not elected constitutionally, and thus, the office has been vacant for many years!
As the process stood upon approval of the Constitution, it satisfied the requirements for a balance of power with a representation of State interests while allowing representative citizens make their voice heard. Instead, the President is chosen within the two major parties (Republican and Democrat) and electors are excess baggage and nothing but robots hired to “satisfy” legal challenges.
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