Elections
Did Founder James Wilson oppose the Electoral College and favor “National Popular Vote?”
James Wilson of Pennsylvania (1742-98) was one of the most influential of the Constitution’s framers. Some scholars rank him as second only to James Madison. Wilson was a distinguished lawyer who eventually served on the U.S. Supreme Court. Advocates of direct...
Why the “National Public Vote” Scheme is Unconstitutional
The U.S. Supreme Court says each state legislature has “plenary” (complete) power to decide how its state’s presidential electors are chosen. But suppose a state legislature decided to raise cash by selling its electors to the highest bidder. Do you think the Supreme...
The Electoral College is still right for America
Criticisms of the Electoral College are regularly repeated in Democratic-controlled state legislatures. Those criticisms derive largely from ignorance as to why the Founders adopted the system they did. For example, it is not true, as some claim, that the Founders...
Sound Money Wasn’t on the Ballot
Americans headed to the polls to cast ballots in the midterm elections. Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives, but Republicans held onto the Senate. There is a lot of speculation about what this will mean, but there are many policies that won’t...