Short answer: Federalist No. 10 does not call for a national popular vote to elect the president. It was written in 1787 to defend the proposed Constitution, especially the idea of a large republic. But some of its arguments can be used to indirectly support a national popular vote.
Madison’s main concern
James Madison worried about factions—groups of people united by interests or opinions. A faction could become a majority and use political power unfairly against minority groups.
How a national popular vote might connect
- A larger electorate makes it harder for one local faction to control the outcome. Madison argued that a large republic would include many different interests. A national vote would combine voters from across the country rather than letting a small number of closely divided states decide the winner.
- Representatives can help refine public opinion. Madison believed elected representatives could consider the public’s views and make decisions with judgment. Supporters of a national popular vote may say that each voter’s choice should count toward choosing the president, while representatives and constitutional rules still shape how government operates.
- A nationwide contest could encourage broader appeals. Candidates seeking votes across the whole country might have reason to address people in many regions, rather than focusing mainly on a few competitive states. This is a possible modern argument, not a claim Madison made about today’s election system.
The important limitation
Federalist No. 10 discusses representation and the dangers of factions; it does not explain or advocate a national popular vote for president. The Constitution’s Electoral College was established separately, and changing to a direct national vote would raise constitutional and practical questions.
In summary: No. 10 can be used to argue that a large, diverse national electorate may reduce the influence of narrow local factions. That makes it relevant to the national popular vote debate, but it is indirect support—not proof that Madison or the essay endorsed that system.