Congrats on your new job and thanks for this insightful commentary--both how quickly the electoral college was adopted in convention and how quickly one major error was fixed after ratification. I wonder, though, how "popular" the election of POTUS was, even by 18th century standards. Each state chooses electors, in a manner determined by their state legislature. A "popular" election of the people for electors happened first in PA, and then other states adopted it as well. But as you say, the Framers didn't think even the electoral college would pick POTUS, so a "popular" vote would be at most derivative. Unlike voting for the House, which was tied to method of selecting largest body in state legislatures themselves. Our current method of choosing POTUS, even acting through the electoral college, seems nothing like what the Framers envisioned, but then I'm not an originalist. Again, congrats on your move to Mount Vernon, my old neighborhood!
Dr. Chervinsky, this is fantastic news! Congratulations! As a rabid fan of your books and "10 Things" segments on Listening to America, I know it couldn't have happened to a more deserving scholar.
Best wishes in your exciting new role!
Congrats on your new job and thanks for this insightful commentary--both how quickly the electoral college was adopted in convention and how quickly one major error was fixed after ratification. I wonder, though, how "popular" the election of POTUS was, even by 18th century standards. Each state chooses electors, in a manner determined by their state legislature. A "popular" election of the people for electors happened first in PA, and then other states adopted it as well. But as you say, the Framers didn't think even the electoral college would pick POTUS, so a "popular" vote would be at most derivative. Unlike voting for the House, which was tied to method of selecting largest body in state legislatures themselves. Our current method of choosing POTUS, even acting through the electoral college, seems nothing like what the Framers envisioned, but then I'm not an originalist. Again, congrats on your move to Mount Vernon, my old neighborhood!
Dr. Chervinsky, this is fantastic news! Congratulations! As a rabid fan of your books and "10 Things" segments on Listening to America, I know it couldn't have happened to a more deserving scholar.
Congratulations on your new job. I hope it doesn't interfere too much with your wonderful posts. Good luck.
Congratulations Dr. C and thanks for all your insights.