Throughline: The Electoral College (Throwback) – Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Power and Peril of Voting

In the opening segments of the episode, hosts Rand Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouie delve into the fundamental significance of the right to vote in the United States. They emphasize that voting is not merely a civic duty but a powerful mechanism that shapes the nation's destiny. Rand Abdelfatah sets the stage by challenging the common perception of American democracy, stating:

“Most of us in the United States are raised to believe that our country is the most democratic on the planet... But we found that when you start to investigate these beliefs through the lens of history, things start to get weird. Assumptions begin to crumble.”
(01:10)

This exploration leads them to scrutinize the Electoral College, revealing its historical complexities and enduring influence on American politics.

Origins of the Electoral College: The 1787 Constitutional Convention

The episode traces the Electoral College's inception to the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, where 55 white male delegates convened to draft the Constitution amidst the fledgling nation's fragility post-Revolutionary War. Rand Abdelfatah paints a vivid picture of the intense environment:

“If you know anything about summer in Philadelphia, you know that it's hot... But that wasn't the only reason they were sweating. They were also under a lot of pressure.”
(06:57)

Faced with the unprecedented challenge of creating a unified governance system without historical precedents, the delegates grappled with designing a method to elect the nation’s president.

The Three-Fifths Compromise: Slavery's Impact on Representation

A pivotal moment in the convention was the negotiation over how enslaved individuals would be counted for representation and taxation purposes. The Southern states, recognizing that a larger population count would yield more electoral votes and Congressional representation, pushed for enslaved people to be counted. Northern delegates opposed this, arguing it dehumanized enslaved individuals. The resolution was the infamous Three-Fifths Compromise:

“In order to pad their population numbers, Southern states wanted enslaved people in their states to count... But the Northern states were like, wait a minute.”
(16:00)

This compromise not only entrenched racial inequalities but also skewed political power in favor of slaveholding states, providing them with disproportionate influence in presidential elections.

The Election of 1800: Electoral College Failures and the 12th Amendment

The episode highlights the tumultuous 1800 presidential election between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both Democratic-Republicans, which resulted in a tie within the Electoral College. This deadlock exposed the system's flaws, as the House of Representatives, dominated by Federalists, had to intervene. Alexander Hamilton's intervention ensured Jefferson's presidency, but the fiasco underscored the need for reform:

“If Congress chooses the president, there is no separation of powers. The possibilities of corruption are enormous. Let's not do this.” – Akhil Reid Amar
(10:05)

Consequently, the 12th Amendment was ratified, mandating separate votes for President and Vice President, thereby refining the Electoral College structure—referred to as Electoral College 2.0.

Sustained Southern Influence and Voter Suppression Post-Civil War

Following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment, the Southern states continued to manipulate the Electoral College to maintain their political dominance. By suppressing Black voters, they inadvertently preserved their electoral advantage even after the Three-Fifths Compromise was nullified:

“Our system awards influence according to population, not according to participation. In this system, states are not at all penalized for engaging in voter suppression.” – Akhil Reid Amar
(35:18)

This period cemented the Electoral College's role in favoring regions that engaged in systemic voter disenfranchisement, shaping presidential outcomes well into the 20th century.

The 1968 Election and the Reignition of Electoral College Reform Efforts

The 1968 presidential election, marked by a three-way race among Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, and third-party candidate George Wallace, reignited debates over the Electoral College. Wallace's strong showing threatened to send the election to the House of Representatives, prompting a wave of bipartisan support for abolishing the Electoral College in favor of a national popular vote:

“In September of 1969, a constitutional amendment calling for ending the Electoral College and replacing it with the national popular vote is passed by the House of Representatives with about an 82% favorable vote...”
(42:12)

However, entrenched Southern opposition, led by segregationist senators like James Eastland, ultimately thwarted these efforts, maintaining the status quo.

Contemporary Perspectives: Arguments for and Against the Electoral College

Modern commentators offer diverse viewpoints on the Electoral College's efficacy. Akhil Reid Amar acknowledges potential benefits but criticizes its lack of transparency and foundational flaws:

“When I think about today... the Electoral College is not that [grounded in widely accepted principles].” – Akhil Reid Amar
(47:48)

Conversely, Alex Keyssar argues for maintaining the system due to practical concerns about national uniformity and unanticipated consequences of reforms:

“It's just the system that we have inertia. You try to change the system and they're going to be unanticipated consequences.” – Alex Keyssar
(45:21)

Rand Abdelfatah and Douglas emphasize the Electoral College's origins tied to preserving white supremacy, highlighting its ongoing role in undermining democratic ideals:

“Those who are tied to the traditions of a slaveholding past... they don't want to be changed.” – Douglas
(46:16)

Conclusion: The Electoral College's Enduring Legacy and the Call for Evolution

Throughline wraps up by reflecting on the Electoral College as a product of its time—crafted by flawed individuals under duress, embedding systemic inequities that persist today. Rand Abdelfatah invokes Thomas Jefferson's foresight, urging institutional evolution to align with contemporary values:

“As laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind... institutions must advance also, to keep pace with the times.” – Thomas Jefferson (quoted)
(48:43)

The episode underscores the necessity for ongoing dialogue and potential reform to ensure that the American electoral system truly embodies the principles of equality and democratic representation.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Rand Abdelfatah:
  “Most of us in the United States are raised to believe that our country is the most democratic on the planet... But we found that when you start to investigate these beliefs through the lens of history, things start to get weird. Assumptions begin to crumble.”
  (01:10)

• Akhil Reid Amar:
  “When Congress chooses the president, there is no separation of powers. The possibilities of corruption are enormous. Let's not do this.”
  (10:05)

• Carol Anderson (Emory University):
  “[...] the South wanted safeguards through the Constitution that would protect slaveholder power.”
  (20:22)

• Alexander Hamilton (historical quote):
  “It was equally desirable that the immediate election should be made by men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station...”
  (12:48)

• Rand Abdelfatah:
  “So even though we have multiple failed efforts to change some aspects of the Electoral College in the decades after the 1800 election, the status quo pretty much remained the same.”
  (32:15)

• Thomas Jefferson (historical quote):
  “Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind... As civilized society... to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”
  (48:43)

Conclusion

Throughline's exploration of the Electoral College unravels its historical roots, racial underpinnings, and the enduring debates surrounding its role in American democracy. By attributing significant quotes and providing contextual analysis, the episode offers a comprehensive understanding of how the Electoral College was designed, how it has functioned, and why it remains a contentious element of the U.S. political system.