2008 Woodie Awards
Electoral College is focus of Constitution Day discussion
Greg Terpenning
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: News
Constitution Day is a nationally-mandated event that takes place each year at college campuses around the country. This year the event covered the Electoral College; from its history, to selection methods and how it is relevant to this year's presidential election. Three guest speakers from around campus were selected to speak in front of an audience on Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the Joe W. Autry Building.
Dr. Michael Pierce, a Tarleton history professor, led the event with information on the history of the Electoral College. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 met to formulate a plan to set up the governmental system. According to Pierce, there was a divide between the states about whether to have voting representation based on population or allowing one vote per state.
James Wilson, a delegate, was convinced that the people should have more power than the existing plan allowed them.
There was a "widespread underlying distrust of the people," Price said. This led to the bicameral system that we have today.
Dr. Malcolm Cross, head of the Social Sciences Department, then informed the audience about the selection methods of the Electoral College. Cross explained that he helps screen possible the Electoral College nominees for his respective party. Early party leaders wanted to be able to nominate both electors and candidates, but now people vote on the candidates through primaries and caucuses. Cross shared the example of Abraham Lincoln, considered one of the greatest presidents of our history, would not have been a party member's idea of a good elector.
"Lincoln thinks, we do not want thinkers," said Cross. He explained that electors are chosen based on unquestionable party loyalty, rather than the progressive thinking Lincoln was known for.
Dr. Michael Pierce capped off the event by sharing his knowledge of how the Electoral College affects elections today. There is an advantage for living in a swing state, which is a state in which candidates are separated by only a few percentage points in the polls.
Therefore, people from both major parties don't plan on holding rallies in states where the outcome is projected too heavily in favor of one party. Texas is not one of the swing states.
"Today's system prevents an actual presidential race in all but just a handful of swing states," Pierce said. This comment stirred some emotion with the audience among students who felt discouraged about whether or not the vote they cast will matter.
According to constitutioncenter.org, Constitution Day is observed every year on Sept. 17, the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, and is seen as a day to help develop citizenship.
Dr. Michael Pierce, a Tarleton history professor, led the event with information on the history of the Electoral College. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 met to formulate a plan to set up the governmental system. According to Pierce, there was a divide between the states about whether to have voting representation based on population or allowing one vote per state.
James Wilson, a delegate, was convinced that the people should have more power than the existing plan allowed them.
There was a "widespread underlying distrust of the people," Price said. This led to the bicameral system that we have today.
Dr. Malcolm Cross, head of the Social Sciences Department, then informed the audience about the selection methods of the Electoral College. Cross explained that he helps screen possible the Electoral College nominees for his respective party. Early party leaders wanted to be able to nominate both electors and candidates, but now people vote on the candidates through primaries and caucuses. Cross shared the example of Abraham Lincoln, considered one of the greatest presidents of our history, would not have been a party member's idea of a good elector.
"Lincoln thinks, we do not want thinkers," said Cross. He explained that electors are chosen based on unquestionable party loyalty, rather than the progressive thinking Lincoln was known for.
Dr. Michael Pierce capped off the event by sharing his knowledge of how the Electoral College affects elections today. There is an advantage for living in a swing state, which is a state in which candidates are separated by only a few percentage points in the polls.
Therefore, people from both major parties don't plan on holding rallies in states where the outcome is projected too heavily in favor of one party. Texas is not one of the swing states.
"Today's system prevents an actual presidential race in all but just a handful of swing states," Pierce said. This comment stirred some emotion with the audience among students who felt discouraged about whether or not the vote they cast will matter.
According to constitutioncenter.org, Constitution Day is observed every year on Sept. 17, the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, and is seen as a day to help develop citizenship.
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