by jpitney | Jan 21, 2021 | civic virtue, Congress, Constitution, Democracy, Elections, Electoral College, History, Polarization, US Constitution
The national anthem has seldom resonated as much as it did when Lady Gaga emphasized the words “our flag was still there” and pointed to the flag on the capitol which had been attacked just a fortnight earlier. It was all balm for America’s wounded soul....
by jpitney | Jan 6, 2021 | Congress, Constitution, Elections, Electoral College, House of Representatives
We have sworn an oath under God to defend the Constitution. We uphold that oath at all times, not only when it is politically convenient. Congress has no authority to overturn elections by objecting to electors. Doing so steals power from the states & violates the...
by jpitney | Jan 4, 2021 | Elections, Electoral College, Nixon
On January 6, 1961, after the official counting of the electoral votes in a joint session of Congress, Vice President Richard Nixon announced the election of his 1960 opponent, John F. Kennedy. Mr. Speaker, since this is an unprecedented situation, I would like to...
by jpitney | Dec 2, 2020 | Election Security, Elections, Electoral College
From the editors of National Review: Trump’s most reprehensible tactic has been to attempt, somewhat shamefacedly, to get local Republican officials to block the certification of votes and state legislatures to appoint Trump electors in clear violation of the public...
by jpitney | Jul 30, 2020 | Constitution, Elections, Electoral College, Emergency
Jacob Shelly at the Congressional Research Service: Unlike the practice of some states that allow the Governor to postpone an election during emergencies, neither the Constitution nor Congress provides any similar power to the President or other federal officials to...
by jpitney | Jul 13, 2020 | Electoral College, Supreme Court
Syllabus: CHIAFALO ET AL. v. WASHINGTON 591 U. S. ____ (2020) No. 19–465. Argued May 13, 2020—Decided July 6, 2020 Held: A State may enforce an elector’s pledge to support his party’s nominee—and the state voters’ choice—for President. Pp. 8–18. (a) Article II, §1...
