Electoral College an actual College

[sunsurf]

I hope and assume this isn't ASB, but invoke them if you must.

But what if the US Electoral College was a literal College?

The Electors go there to study political science and other subjects and, in theory, use their knowledge to choose the best candidates for President and Vice-President.

Of course the POD is the 1780s when the Constitution is being written. Is this workable?

Then the former Presidents and other members of previous administrations become professors and lecturers at this college.

 

[Kevin in Indy]

How about a committee?

Perhaps the "college" could be a "nominating committee" assigned under the Constitution to select at least three nominees for President. The election is conducted by the states (perhaps initially through the legislatures) with the winner becoming President and second place becoming Vice President.

The implementing laws specify that the "college" will consist of some combination of senior Congressmen (that is, the House of Representatives and the Senate - I hate the current usage of calling a Representative "Congressman"), Supreme Court justices, and past Presidents and Vice Presidents. They convene for a period after the recess of the Congress in election years, and are required to provide their (accepted) nominations at least ninety days prior to the scheduled Election Day.

 

[TemporalRenegade]

When I saw the topic, I misread it momentarily. I thought "Electrical College" instead.

"Did I tell you all about my time in electrical college? They not only trained me to be an electrician, but a statesman. I can fix electrical circuitry and equipment, but that is not my only duty! We electricians select your president. Read the Constitution! My Associate Degree is more valuable than some fancy PhD in political science because I am an Electrical College alumnus. Folks call me Hank the Electrician. I like kicking it with Joe the Plumber and Larry the Cableguy, but they are jealous of my political power..."

 

[Lord Grattan]

I hope and assume this isn't ASB, but invoke them if you must.

But what if the US Electoral College was a literal College?

The Electors go there to study political science and other subjects and, in theory, use their knowledge to choose the best candidates for President and Vice-President.

Of course the POD is the 1780s when the Constitution is being written. Is this workable?

Then the former Presidents and other members of previous administrations become professors and lecturers at this college.

Can anyone become a presidential elector and how are they chosen?

Since each elector is overtly free in this scenario to vote for whomever they wish for POTUS without regard to who won in their home state, would the candidates for elector in each congressional district have their names on the ballot instead of the presidential/vice presidential candidates?

Would there be separate campuses in each state where that state's electors would go to study with federal officials or would every elector fo to Washington D.C. for classes?

Who would pay for the food, lodging, transportation, educational materials and professorial stipends?

Will a pass/fail grade be given at the end of this course, and if so, what happens to an elector's elegibility to vote if they receive a failing grade?

 

[LightInfa]

Can anyone become a presidential elector and how are they chosen?

The states direct how the electors are chosen. If the state didn't use popular vote for the electors, usually the state legislature would choose them.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

When I saw the topic, I misread it momentarily. I thought "Electrical College" instead.

"Did I tell you all about my time in electrical college? They not only trained me to be an electrician, but a statesman. I can fix electrical circuitry and equipment, but that is not my only duty! We electricians select your president. Read the Constitution! My Associate Degree is more valuable than some fancy PhD in political science because I am an Electrical College alumnus. Folks call me Hank the Electrician. I like kicking it with Joe the Plumber and Larry the Cableguy, but they are jealous of my political power..."

I thought you were into propane, Hank.

 

[TemporalRenegade]

No, Geekhis Khan, that's a different Hank. Hank the Electrician is not related to Hank Hill.

Red state Americana has a cable guy and a plumber. Hank the Electrician completes the trio, but he is an electrician for all 50 states of America.

 

[CheBlodgett]

I have a feeling if it were an actual college, it probably would have been burned down more than once....