Political Science

Political Science

With Ian Drake, Associate Professor and Deputy Chair at Montclair State University, Department of Political Science

Should the Electoral College be Abolished?
The Electoral College has been the subject of more proposed constitutional amendments than any other part of the U.S. Constitution.  It is a unique institution in world government and a frequent source of dispute among politicians, parties, and voters.  This talk will consider the proposed reforms to how Americans choose their presidents. Should the Electoral College system be abolished? If so, what system would replace it?  Would a national popular vote system be preferable?  We will consider the historical origins of the Electoral College, the proposed reforms, and the likely effects should any changes be implemented.

Important Cases Pending at the U.S. Supreme Court
Each term the Supreme Court takes on cases that test the limits of constitutional government.  In the 2025 term the Court will review cases regarding issues such as whether state laws banning “conversion therapy” violate the First Amendment, whether imposing two sentences under a federal statute violate the double-jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment, whether restitution violates the Ex Post Facto Clause of the Constitution, and whether restrictions on attorney-client consultations violates the Sixth Amendment right to an attorney. We will consider these cases and more in our discussion of the Court’s new 2025 term.

2 Mondays 9/15 and 10/13, 11:30 -12:30pm
$20 Member/$25 Guest for both,  $15 Member/$20 Guest each session