If you’re looking for documents that oppose the Electoral College and support choosing the president by the national popular vote, these are useful starting points:
- The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC): Read the compact’s text and explanations on the National Popular Vote website. States joining the compact agree to award their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes nationwide—but the agreement takes effect only when participating states together have enough electoral votes to determine the election.
- Proposed constitutional amendments: Search Congress.gov for proposed amendments that would replace the Electoral College with a direct popular vote. These are primary-source documents showing how lawmakers have proposed making the change. A proposal is not the same as an amendment that has been adopted.
- League of Women Voters materials: The League has published information and advocacy materials supporting direct election of the president. These can help explain arguments for a national popular vote.
- FairVote resources: FairVote publishes explanations and analysis supporting a national popular vote and discussing alternatives to the current system.
What arguments do these documents make?
- Every vote would count toward the same nationwide total.
- The candidate with the most votes across the country would win.
- Campaigns might have more reason to reach voters in states that are not considered closely contested.
For a balanced school assignment: Compare these sources with documents supporting the Electoral College, such as the Constitution’s provisions on presidential elections and explanations of the system’s federalism arguments. Also identify whether a source is a law, a proposed amendment, or an advocacy organization’s opinion.