Rosemarie Zagarri (George Mason Univeristy) examines the roots of the American system for electing its president and explores the possibility -- as well as the feasibility -- of changing the existing system. The origins of the Electoral College lay in a series of tumultuous conflicts at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. At stake was not only what the presidency should entail, but also how the new chief executive should be elected. Almost as soon as it went into operation, the flaws and defects of the Electoral College became evident. The question facing Americans today is: What can be done to remedy the inadequacies of the Electoral College?

Co-sponsored by the Departments of History, Black Studies, and Political Science, as well as the Interdisciplinary Humanities Center.