FairVote - Favorite Son Effect

August 22nd 2007
Stacking the Electoral Deck
The New York Times

The Gray Lady's editorial board comes out against schemes to allocate electoral votes by congressional districts, and reasserts support for the National Popular Vote plan.

August 22nd 2007
California Democrats push popular vote measure
Los Angeles Times

LA Times staff writer Dan Morain reports on the latest move towards NPV in California.

August 21st 2007
A critical reform in presidential elections
The Napa Valley Register

The author explains how the Electoral College allows a candidate to become president despite losing the nationwide popular vote. He argues that Congress has blocked past attempts to reform the system, but now National Popular Vote offers a way out.

August 20th 2007
In defense of 55 electoral votes
The San Francisco Chronicle

An editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle cites the bipartisan National Popular Vote effort, and its 364 sponsors in 47 states in contrast to the wrong-headed congressional district proposal being floated in California.

August 13th 2007
Will California alter '08 race?
Christian Science Monitor

The writer evaluates California Republicans' move to have the state's electoral votes awarded by district. He concludes that it is an unfair move that will benefit only Republicans, without correcting the flaws of the current system.

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Home. > Presidential Elections Reform > Resources > Electoral College > How the Electoral College works today > Little Known Facts > Favorite Son Effect
	Favorite Son Effect One of the reasons the Founders created the Electoral College was to prevent a Favorite Son effect, in which citizens of a state would vote for a candidate who is also from their state solely for that reason. But in fact, the Electoral College has turned out to promote the Favorite Son effect instead of suppress it. Note that every single President, with the exception of James K. Polk in 1844, has won his home state. *Note: The Federal Elections Commission currently, and incorrectly, explains the Favorite Son effect as being prevented by parties selecting their Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees from different states. A Few States Wins Constitutional Residence State Size Special Interests Power of State Legislatures Unlucky Luck Ignoring Your Vote More Options Vague Values Electoral Replacements Electoral Tie Electoral College Table of Contents	August 22nd 2007 Stacking the Electoral Deck The New York Times The Gray Lady's editorial board comes out against schemes to allocate electoral votes by congressional districts, and reasserts support for the National Popular Vote plan. August 22nd 2007 California Democrats push popular vote measure Los Angeles Times LA Times staff writer Dan Morain reports on the latest move towards NPV in California. August 21st 2007 A critical reform in presidential elections The Napa Valley Register The author explains how the Electoral College allows a candidate to become president despite losing the nationwide popular vote. He argues that Congress has blocked past attempts to reform the system, but now National Popular Vote offers a way out. August 20th 2007 In defense of 55 electoral votes The San Francisco Chronicle An editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle cites the bipartisan National Popular Vote effort, and its 364 sponsors in 47 states in contrast to the wrong-headed congressional district proposal being floated in California. August 13th 2007 Will California alter '08 race? Christian Science Monitor The writer evaluates California Republicans' move to have the state's electoral votes awarded by district. He concludes that it is an unfair move that will benefit only Republicans, without correcting the flaws of the current system. [ Previous ] [ Next ]