by Proposed Amendment to Establish the County College of Electors
Amendment XXVIII: Reforming the Electoral College to a County-Based System
Section 1.
The President and Vice President of the United States shall be elected by a County College of Electors. Each county within the United States, as recognized by state law, shall appoint one elector to the County College of Electors.
Section 2.
The elector for each county shall be the named from each county, as designated by state law, whether titled as County Executive, County Judge, Mayor, or other equivalent title. If a county does not have a Chief Executive Officer, the county board of supervisors, county commissioners, or equivalent legislative body shall designate an individual to serve as the elector in accordance with this amendment.
Section 3.
Electors shall cast their votes for President and Vice President based on the popular vote of the citizens within their respective counties. Each county’s single vote in the County College of Electors shall represent the majority will of its constituents.
Section 4.
No person holding a federal or state office, including Senator, Representative, or other office of trust or profit under the United States or the state, shall serve as an elector. Electors must reside in the county they represent at the time of their appointment and throughout their service as an elector.
Section 5.
Each state’s legislature shall enact laws to govern the process by which county-level popular votes are conducted, ensuring compliance with this amendment and federal election law. The laws must include provisions for tie-breaking procedures in cases where no candidate receives a majority of the county vote.
Section 6.
The County College of Electors shall convene at a designated location within their respective states on a date determined by Congress to cast their votes for President and Vice President. Votes shall be certified by the state and transmitted to the President of the Senate in accordance with established constitutional procedures.
Section 7.
The total number of votes in the County College of Electors shall equal the number of counties within the United States. The candidate for President receiving the majority of votes cast in the County College shall be elected President. Similarly, the candidate for Vice President receiving the majority of votes cast shall be elected Vice President. If no candidate receives a majority, the House of Representatives shall decide the President, and the Senate shall decide the Vice President, as provided in the Twelfth Amendment.
Section 8.
This amendment shall take effect beginning with the first presidential election occurring one year after its ratification.
Rationale for the Amendment:
This amendment seeks to enhance the representation of localized communities by shifting the electoral process to a county-based system, aligning presidential selection more closely with grassroots governance. By empowering county leaders to directly participate as electors, this reform emphasizes a populist approach, ensuring that rural, suburban, and urban counties have equal voices in the selection of national leadership.
Explanation of the Benefits of the County College of Electors Amendment
Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Citizens, and Advocates of Democracy,
Today, we propose a bold yet simple idea: to strengthen the voice of the people by making every county count in the selection of the President and Vice President of the United States. The County College of Electors Amendment is a transformative reform to the Electoral College that enhances fairness, equity, and representation. Here’s why this amendment deserves your support:
1. A Truly Local Voice for Every Community
Under the current system, the Electoral College disproportionately represents larger states and urban centers, leaving many rural and smaller communities feeling ignored. This amendment gives every county in America an equal voice by making the chief executive officer of each county an elector. Whether you’re in a bustling metropolitan county or a remote rural one, your vote matters equally in determining who becomes President.
2. Equal Representation in a Diverse Nation
America is a nation of vibrant diversity, not just across states but within counties. Each county has unique challenges, priorities, and opportunities. By empowering counties directly in the presidential election process, we ensure that no region is overlooked. This approach bridges the rural-urban divide and recognizes the importance of local leadership in shaping national policy.
3. A System That Mirrors Grassroots Democracy
The County College of Electors reflects the grassroots values of our democracy. It aligns presidential elections with the local leaders we elect to serve us every day. By using county executives—individuals directly accountable to their communities—we ensure that our Electoral College reflects the voices of the people rather than distant political elites.
4. A Populist Reform That Strengthens Trust in Elections
Public trust in the electoral process has declined, with many feeling their votes don’t count. This amendment restores faith in democracy by making the system simpler, more transparent, and more relatable. Every vote in a county impacts a single elector, making the process easy to understand and harder to manipulate.
5. Balancing Population and Geography
The current system favors states with larger populations, often ignoring the geographic breadth of our country. The County College of Electors balances population with geography, ensuring that every corner of America—from the Appalachian foothills to the deserts of the Southwest—has an equal say in selecting our leaders.
6. A Check on Hyper-Partisanship
Hyper-partisanship is tearing our nation apart. By focusing on counties rather than states, this amendment encourages candidates to campaign in more diverse regions, fostering dialogue across ideological lines. Candidates will need to engage directly with communities they might otherwise overlook, promoting unity over division.
7. Respects Local Control and Accountability
Local government is often the most responsive and trusted level of government. By assigning the role of elector to county executives, we leverage their deep understanding of local issues. They are accountable to the voters in their counties, ensuring that their votes in the County College are aligned with the will of the people.
8. A Simpler, Fairer Election Process
Gone are the days of confusing Electoral College maps and debates about “winner-takes-all” versus “proportional” systems. The County College system is straightforward: one county, one vote. Candidates win votes based on how many counties they carry, and the total votes decide the presidency.
9. Brings Rural America Back into the Conversation
For too long, rural America has felt sidelined in presidential politics. This amendment ensures that rural counties matter just as much as urban centers. Every candidate must address the needs of all Americans, from the farmers of the Midwest to the families in Appalachia.
10. A Unifying and Innovative Idea
This amendment is not about left or right, red or blue—it’s about fairness. It’s about modernizing our electoral process while staying true to the principles of federalism and democracy. By making every county count, we bring the country closer together and ensure that every voice is heard.
Call to Action
This amendment is an opportunity to make history. It’s a chance to show the world that the United States continues to innovate and adapt to the changing needs of its people. It’s a call to every American, from Maine to California, to demand a system that values every county, every vote, and every citizen equally.
Together, we can reform the Electoral College to better reflect the will of the people and the strength of our local communities. The County College of Electors is a populist solution for the modern age—a fairer, simpler, and more inclusive system for selecting our nation’s leaders.
Let us come together, rise above division, and make every county count. Support the County College of Electors Amendment today!
