The Power of the Electoral College

It is written in the constitution that states may decide how electors
are selected for the president of the United States. This is the main
provision in the constitution that decides how electors are to be
chosen. Most states have chosen to use direct popular vote within
their own states and the result is that we think that states can’t
alter how it chooses electors. This is false because the democratic
choice of electors was granted to the people of each state by the
state legislators so it is reasonable to conclude that the same
legislatures can place additional burdens on the electors.

The state of Arizona has a bill that will not allow its electors
released until the president can verify that he matches the
requirements to be president of the United States. Once this bill is
enacted into law then the current president or any president for that
matter will have to prove to the state of Arizona that the president
meets the constitutional requirements to be president.

The seven electoral votes that the state of Arizona can withhold can either put
a presidential candidate over the top or declare him loser since that
candidate did not prove he or she met the qualifications for
president. This gives the state of Arizona the power to decide for
themselves the eligibility of any candidate.

Imagine the possibilities if state legislatures asserted themselves
more by placing more restrictions on its electors such as not
releasing electors for presidents that sign unbalanced budgets into
law or engage in unpopular wars. What if a list of qualifications
were created for a presidential candidate in whom the electors could
not vote for if the candidate violated. Imagine the power states
would have over the office of the presidency. Imagine a state like
California placing a demand that no electors shall vote for a
presidential candidate who signed an unbalanced budget into law.

Re-examining the Electoral College system may give states new powers
over the office of the presidency which would place an important check
on how the president of the United States executes his powers.

Tags: Electoral College