Should We Replace the Electoral College?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What is the purpose of voting in a democracy? How do you structure voting to best achieve that purpose?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the Electoral College should be abolished. The issue is timely because this is a presidential election year.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue.
  (John Koza is the head of an organization that advocates for a national popular vote. Robert Hardaway wrote the book Saving the Electoral College.) 

3. Core Skill Practice
Project or distribute Analyzing Authors’ Claims and have students use the activity to analyze and evaluate each author’s arguments.

• Analyze Koza’s view. (Koza argues that the Electoral College should be replaced because it allows for a candidate to become president without winning the popular vote. He also says that the winner-take-all awarding of electoral votes effectively disenfranchises voters in non-battleground states.)

• Analyze Hardaway’s view. (Hardaway argues against replacing the Electoral College because it ensures broad and deep support for a president. He says that getting rid of it would result in a few populous states having all the power and reduce the impact of Black and Hispanic voting blocs.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should the Electoral College be replaced? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.