Presidential Elections and Majority Rule

In this insightful examination of the American Electoral College, Edward Foley traces its evolution since its redesign by Thomas Jefferson's supporters in 1804, aimed at ensuring majority rule in presidential elections. While the system effectively produced majority-backed presidents for much of American history, recent elections in 1992, 2000, and 2016 have revealed significant deviations from this original intent, where winners relied on state-based minorities. Foley analyzes the resulting implications and offers solutions for addressing these unprecedented challenges to the democratic process.