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Electoral College Structuring Reform with Two‑Term Continuity A Systems‑Level Framework for Modernizing Presidential Selection in the United States

Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Electoral College Structuring Reform with Two‑Term Continuity presents a systems‑level redesign of the U.S. presidential election architecture. Rather than abolishing the Electoral College or defending the status quo, the preprint treats the institution as a modular governance system that can be modernized through structural engineering. The work identifies three major distortions that have accumulated over two centuries—winner‑take‑all allocation, elector pledges, and abrupt administrative turnover—and demonstrates that none of them are constitutionally required. In response, the preprint introduces a four‑part reform framework centered on direct election of electors, proportional or district‑based allocation, and a novel mechanism called two‑term continuity. This continuity model links elector tenure, pledge integrity, and presidential re‑election into a coherent eight‑year governance horizon, reducing volatility while preserving democratic accountability. The proposal outlines how elector seats are filled, contested, or vacated; how continuity interacts with safeguards against unfit leadership; and how district‑level representation can be maintained without destabilizing the system. Implementation pathways include state legislation, interstate compacts, and constitutional amendment. Overall, the preprint positions constitutional design as a discipline of institutional architecture. It offers a non‑partisan, stability‑focused blueprint for strengthening democratic legitimacy, improving representational fidelity, and restoring the Electoral College’s original deliberative function while adapting it for a modern electorate.
DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/xcu9f
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7119958490
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