Executive Summary

The Evolution and Destruction of the Original Electoral College
by Gary and Carolyn Alder

There is an old adage that says, "When all else fails—follow the instructions." We believe that this holds true with the principles of freedom outlined in the Constitution of the United States. In the end analysis, it is the structure of government that protects freedom. This book focuses on the original structure of the system designed to consistently produce high quality presidents and specifically the institution at its foundation—the original Electoral College. After explaining in detail how the original system was supposed to work, we show how the original intent of the Framers was ignored and discarded.

The most unique feature of this book is its strict reliance on the specific words of the original Constitution to demonstrate the Framers' intent in selecting a President for the United States.

Over the years we as a people have allowed precedent to supplant precept. To understand the original intent of the Framers and the specifications of the Constitution, it is necessary to block out all preconceived notions based on current practices. This book challenges the premise that the Electors were meant to be the final step in the election process. Our claim is that the Constitution designated the Electors as the beginning of the selection process.

This book analyses:

a)  The ingenious design of the original Electoral College
b)  How manipulation and cabal, allowed political parties to subvert the original system and
c)  How today’s version of the Electoral College perverts the Electors’ constitutionally assigned task.

a)  The ingenious design of the original Electoral College

The secret to understanding the original system is that the Electors were to nominate presidential candidates not elect the President. They were to identify statesmen who had proven themselves through service and dedication to their communities, states, and country. Imagine a system where wise individuals are seeking qualified people of integrity to nominate for President, where there is no personal aggrandizing, no campaigning, no campaign promises and no campaign financing.

b)  Manipulation and cabal, allowed political parties to subvert the original system

First the original intent of the system was ignored. The Constitution was hastily amended to support the way the system was being manipulated. Making what appeared to be minor changes in the Constitution opened the door to further evolution, destroying the structure.

c)  Today’s version of the Electoral College perverts the Electors’ constitutionally assigned task.

Today the Electoral College bears only a superficial resemblance to what the Framers designed—the Electors meet only to rubber-stamp what everybody already knows—who won the election. The original Electoral College system was based on the independence and agency of the Electors. Today most States have statutes forbidding electors to vote their conscience. There is even a movement that is gaining momentum dedicated to making the electoral votes in states that join the compact match the winner of the national popular vote.

We believe that as the people of the United States become aware of the intelligent design, purpose and benefits of the original Electoral College system, they will rush to restore it. When people ask us “How could this country create a system which would consistently produce high quality presidents?” Our answer is: “Focus on the quality of the candidates.” Seek for statesmen rather than push a particular politician. Think long term. Concern yourself more with the candidate selection process rather than the final outcome of a particular election.

The Framers of the Constitution created exactly that kind of system—the original Electoral College. This book reveals the secrets of that ingenious process—a system that has remained hidden (or rather ignored) for over two centuries.