FairVote - Favorite Son Effect

October 28th 2004
The electoral college is doing harm to our democracy
South Brunswick Post (NJ)

It is time to find alternatives to the Electoral College and enact reforms such as instant runoff voting and full public financing.

October 24th 2004
Election Reform Also on Ballot
The News Standard (NY)

A proposed amendment in Colorado would allow the state to distribute its electors to the electoral college based on the popular vote outcome.

October 22nd 2004
Electoral College Football
CBS News

The 220-year-old Electoral College may be the bane of Election 2004. If the Electoral College ties in a 269-269 vote, some outlandish scenarios become plausible for the election of our nation's highest leader.

October 20th 2004
Loser take all? Our electoral rules demand reform
Knight-Ridder/Tribune

American voting system does not function well due to the antiquated Electoral College and winner-take-all rule.

October 20th 2004
A to-do list for the day after Nov. 2
Detroit Free Press

The 2004 Presidential election will leave many people disappointed, and in its wake, three key reforms should be purused: electoral college reform, instant runoff voting, and allowing immigrants to serve as President.

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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	October 28th 2004 The electoral college is doing harm to our democracy South Brunswick Post (NJ) It is time to find alternatives to the Electoral College and enact reforms such as instant runoff voting and full public financing. October 24th 2004 Election Reform Also on Ballot The News Standard (NY) A proposed amendment in Colorado would allow the state to distribute its electors to the electoral college based on the popular vote outcome. October 22nd 2004 Electoral College Football CBS News The 220-year-old Electoral College may be the bane of Election 2004. If the Electoral College ties in a 269-269 vote, some outlandish scenarios become plausible for the election of our nation's highest leader. October 20th 2004 Loser take all? Our electoral rules demand reform Knight-Ridder/Tribune American voting system does not function well due to the antiquated Electoral College and winner-take-all rule. October 20th 2004 A to-do list for the day after Nov. 2 Detroit Free Press The 2004 Presidential election will leave many people disappointed, and in its wake, three key reforms should be purused: electoral college reform, instant runoff voting, and allowing immigrants to serve as President. [ Previous ] [ Next ]