Question

According to Professor Amar, what are the misconceptions of regarding the creation of the Electoral College? What proof does he cite?

Answer 1

According to Professor Amar, the Electoral College is originated in protecting slave states vote, meaning that if it weren’t for the Electoral College southern states would’ve lost in every direct election given its high number of slaves (Slaves couldn’t exercise direct vote; however, they were counted according to the three-fifths rule to vote for the Electoral College). Proving against the conception that the Electoral College was conceived to protect people from tyranny and the manipulation of public opinion, to guarantee the election of qualified candidates to be president and the participation of smaller states. In this regard, one of the examples cited by Professor Amar to justify his argument is the 1800 presidential elections when the election was largely decided thanks to the extra 13 votes given by slavery in the South after the 12th amendment which allowed Jefferson to become president of the United States.