Be Careful What You Wish For: Exploring the Consequences of Electoral College Reform

The Notre Dame Club of Richmond Hesburgh Lecture and the Jepson School of Leadership Studies’ Marshall Center Lecture Series presents Joshua B. Kaplan, Associate Professional Specialist and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Department of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, for the discussion “Be Careful What You Wish For: Exploring the Consequences of Electoral College Reform.”

The Electoral College has become a source of controversy. As people discuss its purpose and history, many groups and presidential candidates have called for changing it and this year six states voted on the National Popular Vote Plan. But what would actually happen if the Electoral College were reformed in some way or replaced by direct election? This lecture will explore the intended and unintended consequences of the various reform proposals, from the National Popular Vote Plan, to plans for allocating electoral votes proportionally, to direct election.