The Constitution and the Vote

How did the authors of the Constitution define who could vote for members of the House of Representatives? Why do you think they did not establish a national standard?

How might the selection of senators by state legislatures still be defined as democratic despite the fact candidates did not stand for election?

How does the ability of each of house of Congress to judge the elections of its members place a check on states' control over elections? 

Compare Article 2, Section 1, with the 12th Amendment. How did the Electoral College's operation change with the amendment's passage? 

What does Alexander Hamilton mean when he writes, "Every government ought to contain in itself the means of its own preservation"? How might democracy challenge the preservation of a government? How might the preservation of government challenge democracy?

According to Hamilton, where the did the authors of the Constitution decide the power over federal elections should reside? Why?

Why, according to Hamilton, did the authors of the Constitution refrain from giving the federal government the power to regulate all elections?

Identify all of the desired requirements for the system for electing the president Hamilton identifies here. What patterns do you see in these desires?

What do you think Hamilton meant by his use of the words "tumult and disorder" in describing them as something the authors of the Constitution hoped to avoid? 

What kind of people does Hamilton propose the Electoral College would elevate to the Presidency? Who does he believe would be blocked by the system?  Why would the character of the President be so important, according to Hamilton?