Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts honored Constitution and Citizenship Day 2024 by hosting a special event aimed at deepening the community’s understanding of the U.S. electoral process.
MCLA, along with universities nationwide, celebrates this federal holiday annually on September 17th, which commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. This year’s program centered on a lecture by Dr. Samantha Pettey, Associate Professor of Political Science at MCLA, who presented “Understanding the Electoral College: Insights into 2024’s Presidential Election.” The lecture, which took place on September 17, 2024, at 4 p.m. in Murdock Hall, was free and open to the public.
Constitution and Citizenship Day, officially established in 2004, has become an opportunity for institutions of higher learning to foster civic engagement and education about the U.S. Constitution. At MCLA, the day serves as a platform to not only reflect on the historical significance of the document, but also to explore its impact on modern governance and electoral systems. This year’s focus on the Electoral College is especially timely, given the heightened interest in the 2024 presidential election.
The Electoral College is a topic that has long been debated, both for its role in American democracy and its controversial outcomes. As Dr. Pettey’s lecture highlighted, the system was originally conceived as a compromise between electing the president by popular vote and having Congress choose the president. Each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes, based on its congressional representation, and the candidate who wins the majority of these votes becomes president.
However, because most states employ a winner-takes-all approach, the outcome of the election is often decided by a few key swing states, which can lead to a mismatch between the popular vote and the Electoral College results.
This disparity has caused concern in recent elections, most notably in 2000 and 2016, when the candidate who won the popular vote did not become president. Dr. Pettey’s lecture has addressed these instances and provided an overview of the historical origins of the Electoral College, as well as its evolution over time.
She also delved into the current debates surrounding its relevance in the 21st century. Many critics argue that the system no longer serves its original purpose, and that it unfairly benefits smaller states or states with more swing voters, while others defend it as a crucial element of federalism that ensures all states have a voice in the election process.
In addition to explaining the structure and history of the Electoral College, Dr. Pettey’s presentation offered attendees practical tools for interpreting polling data—a particularly important skill during election seasons. As Dr. Pettey noted, “Polling can be tricky to interpret responsibly, especially in the context of the Electoral College.”
Media coverage often focuses on polling data to predict electoral outcomes, but such data can be misleading if not interpreted correctly. Polls may fail to capture the complexity of the electorate, or may be influenced by sampling biases. Dr. Pettey aimed to teach participants how to critically assess polls and understand their limitations, empowering them to navigate the barrage of media reports leading up to the election.
The lecture also featured a Q&A session, allowing students and community members to engage directly with Dr. Pettey on topics such as the influence of swing states, the potential for electoral reform, and the impact of voter demographics on election outcomes. This interactive component aimed to encourage informed civic participation and foster a deeper understanding of how the Electoral College shapes U.S. elections.
Dr. Pettey, who has taught at MCLA since 2016, is known for her expertise in American government, with a particular focus on Congress, state and local politics, and women in politics. Her current research examines the role of institutional and demographic factors in the success of female political candidates at the state level. Dr. Pettey’s background in political science and her passion for educating students about the electoral process made her an ideal speaker for this year’s Constitution Day event.
Constitution and Citizenship Day at MCLA is more than a commemoration of the past; it is an opportunity to engage with contemporary issues related to governance and democratic participation. As the 2024 presidential election draws near, the role of the Electoral College will once again come under scrutiny, and events like Dr. Pettey’s lecture provide a valuable space for informed discussion. Understanding how the Electoral College works—and the ways in which it can influence election outcomes—enables citizens to participate more fully in the democratic process.
In a time of growing political polarization, such civic education initiatives are vital to fostering a more informed and engaged electorate. MCLA’s ongoing commitment to hosting Constitution Day events reflects the institution’s dedication to preparing its students and the wider community for active participation in democracy. By examining both the historical foundations and the modern complexities of the U.S. electoral system, this year’s lecture on the Electoral College offers a timely and relevant exploration of one of the most debated aspects of American politics.
