Detailed statement of the case for reform of the allegedly outmoded system of electing the President of the United States.

Contents: (1) Intro.; (2) Competing Approaches: Direct Popular Election v. Electoral College Reform; (3) Direct Popular Election: Pro and Con; (4) Electoral College Reform: Pro and Con; (5) Electoral College Amendments Proposed in the 111th Congress; (6) Contemporary Activity in the States; (7) 2004: Colorado Amendment 36; (8) 2007-2008: The Presidential Reform Act (California Counts); (9) 2006-Present: National Popular Vote -- Direct Popular Election Through an Interstate Compact; Origins; The Plan; National Popular Vote, Inc.; Action in the State Legislatures; States That Have Approved NPV; National Popular Vote; (10) Prospects for Change -- An Analysis; (11) State Action -- A Viable Reform Alternative?; (12) Concluding Observations.

The new edition of this popular guide examines how the electoral college and postelection processes work andincludes a short history ofcontested elections.

The democratic process is one of the most iconic and important parts of American history and culture. However, there has long been controversy surrounding one particular aspect of that process: the Electoral College. Packed with easily digestible text, eye-catching graphic features, and engaging fact boxes, this book provides a primer on the Electoral College, how it works, and why some people argue it should be abolished and replaced with a popular voting process.