Selection  of the President

Background for Study on the Issues of the Electoral College

and the National Popular Vote Compact

Public Information Forum Electing the President Electoral College vs. the National Popular Vote Compact

Monday, March 23, 6:30 pm--Tyler Public Library, 201 South College

UT Tyler Political Science Professor Dr. Courtney Cullison and Political Columnist Roy Maynard

The League’s Position

Statement of Position on Selection of the President, as Announced by the National Board, January 1970, Revised March 1982 and Updated June 2004:

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the direct-popular-vote method for electing the President and Vice-President is essential to representative government. The League of Women Voters believes, therefore, that the Electoral College should be abolished.

The League also supports uniform voting qualifications and procedures for presidential elections. The League supports changes in the presidential election system – from the candidate selection process to the general election.

We support efforts to provide voters with sufficient information about candidates and their positions, public policy issues, and the selection process itself. The League supports action to ensure that the media, political parties, candidates, and all levels of government achieve these goals and provide that information.

Explanation of the Position

The League strongly believes that the Electoral College should be abolished and not merely “reformed.” One “reform” that the League specifically rejects is the voting by electors based on proportional representation in lieu of the present “winner-takes-all” method. Such a system would apportion the electoral votes of a state based on the popular vote in that state.

Instead of making the Electoral College more representative, such proportional voting would increase the chance that no candidate would receive a majority in the Electoral College, thereby sending the election of the President to the House of Representatives where each state, regardless of population, would receive only one vote.

Election of the President by the House further removes the decision from the people and is contrary to the “one person, one vote” principle. The League also does not support reform of the Electoral College on a state-by-state basis because the League believes there should be uniformity across the nation in the systems used to elect the President.

Meeting for Member Discussion and Consensus

Monday, April 6, 12 noon

Genecov Room, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

At the 2008 Convention, the delegates voted to adopt a new study, "The Advisability of Using the National Popular Vote Compact among the States as a Method for Electing the President."

Using provided background information, pros and cons, and a series of discussion questions, members will decide whether to support the NPV Compact as a method of electing the U. S. President. (You can download the discussion questions from linked page.)

The League’s History

At its 2002 Convention, the League voted to expand and update its position. The League came to concurrence on a new position in June 2004. The new position takes into account the entire presidential selection process and supports a process that produces the best possible candidates, informed voters and optimum voter participation.