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

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.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
Published
2026-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/xcu9f
Primary Topic
Electoral Systems and Political Participation
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

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

Justino Newton Lopez Rupard
OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
Electoral Systems and Political Participation
article

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

Justino Newton Lopez Rupard
article en

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.

OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 94%
Electoral Systems and Political Participation
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Electoral College Structuring Reform with Two‑Term Continuity A Systems‑Level Framework for Modernizing Presidential Selection in the United States — Justino Newton Lopez Rupard · OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS