This is what got attention but then failed on Capitol Hill after George Wallace's third-party strength in 1968 almost blocked an Electoral College majority. This option has obvious weaknesses. The Democrats, especially because of Gore's likely popular-vote victory, are the party ideologically most disposed toward reform. However, conservatives, almost by nature, cling to old institutions and cherish constitutional artifacts. Many Republicans also believe that their party has an advantage in the Electoral College because it overrepresents the small, rural and G.O.P.-inclined jurisdictions.
Republicans are likely to beat back any constitutional amendment.
But in lieu of a constitutional amendment, congressional legislation may be able to do the job. Proponents of reform say that Congress could pass a law requiring that electors be chosen on Election Day and also give their votes on Election Day. That would leave the states with no avenue but to consider each individual voter to be a fraction of an elector. These complications could push the choice back to a constitutional amendment to elect Presidents by popular vote alone. After last Tuesday's wake-up call, we cannot accept politicians' assurances that the current electoral system has managed for over a century, that 2000 was a fluke and that maybe we'll be lucky for another 100 years.