Feature  

The Electoral College: What’s to be Done

During an opening panel at an Ash Center symposium on the future of the Electoral College, scholars examined the history behind how the US adopted its peculiar centuries-old system of choosing presidential election winners – and what should be done to reform or even abolish the practice today.

A presidential electoral in Washington State ceremonially signs an electoral college ballot
A presidential elector from Washington State signs an electoral college ballot following the 2020 US presidential elections. Photo courtesy the Office of the Secretary of State of Washington State/Washington State Archives.

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Congressman Jamie Raskin speaks at an Ash Center conference on the Electoral College

Jamie Raskin on the future of the Electoral College

At the Ash Center, Congressman Jamie Raskin makes the case that the US should finally move to a direct popular vote for selecting presidential winners.

Moving beyond the Electoral College

Behind the Book: Why Do We Still Have The Electoral College?

In his latest book, "Why Do We Still Have The Electoral College?" Alex Keyssar examines the myriad reasons that we still follow with what he calls, "a process that does not conform to democratic principles the nation has publicly championed."

Learn more about the book

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Stephen Richer’s Summer Reading List
Picture of colorful bookshelf

Feature

Stephen Richer’s Summer Reading List

The official start of Summer is almost here, and Stephen Richer, Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy and former elected Maricopa County Recorder, shares his summer reading list with a range of books focused on his work of democracy and elections, as well as his personal favorites.

 

The 2024 Presidential Election: The Broken Bond Between Youth and Democracy
Cover photo of the report

Policy Brief

The 2024 Presidential Election: The Broken Bond Between Youth and Democracy

The 2024 election saw Donald Trump make significant gains among young voters, increasing his support among 18- to 29-year-olds by 10 percentage points. This report aims to investigate the deeper issues at stake that are causing this historical shift.

More on this Issue

Stephen Richer’s Summer Reading List
Picture of colorful bookshelf

Feature

Stephen Richer’s Summer Reading List

The official start of Summer is almost here, and Stephen Richer, Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy and former elected Maricopa County Recorder, shares his summer reading list with a range of books focused on his work of democracy and elections, as well as his personal favorites.

 

Information Inequality Can Be a Matter of Life or Death
Cover photo of the report

Policy Brief

Information Inequality Can Be a Matter of Life or Death

In this paper, Mary W. Graham, co-director of the Center’s Transparency Policy Project, examines how unintended information inequities undermine critical health and safety alerts. Focusing on three key policies — wildfire alerts, drinking water reports, and auto safety recalls — she identifies common roots of these disparities and highlights efforts by policymakers to address them.