FairVote - Favorite Son Effect

June 24th 2005
Senate votes to move up primary
Star Ledger

New Jersey votes for earlier presidential primary, intending to increase its influence.

April 1st 2005
The Electoral College flunks the test in an age of Democracy
Human Rights, American Bar Association journal

FairVote Chair, John B. Anderson outlines the need to reform our presidential elections.

March 26th 2005
Election reform: Carter, Baker tackle it
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Minnesota newspaper encourages new Carter/Baker commission to review IRV, Electoral College, and national standards

March 24th 2005
The Electoral College Flunks
The New York Review of Books

Book review of George Edwards III hard-hitting book 'Why The Electoral College is Bad for America'

December 22nd 2004
Calls for electoral standards mount
The Augusta Chronicle

An overview of several reforms to modernize and democratize our elections.

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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	June 24th 2005 Senate votes to move up primary Star Ledger New Jersey votes for earlier presidential primary, intending to increase its influence. April 1st 2005 The Electoral College flunks the test in an age of Democracy Human Rights, American Bar Association journal FairVote Chair, John B. Anderson outlines the need to reform our presidential elections. March 26th 2005 Election reform: Carter, Baker tackle it Minneapolis Star Tribune Minnesota newspaper encourages new Carter/Baker commission to review IRV, Electoral College, and national standards March 24th 2005 The Electoral College Flunks The New York Review of Books Book review of George Edwards III hard-hitting book 'Why The Electoral College is Bad for America' December 22nd 2004 Calls for electoral standards mount The Augusta Chronicle An overview of several reforms to modernize and democratize our elections. [ Previous ] [ Next ]