ABSTRACT
The mediation of the major political parties presently structures choice through competitive two-party elections. These would be replaced under so-called electoral college reform by crowds of candidates making their appeals to people solely through the media. The major parties still provide the arena in which the presidential contest is decided, and the contest for the presidency, at least, remains reasonably competitive. Another immediate effect of nonfederal elections for presidents would be to increase vastly the number of elections, parties, and candidates confronting voters. A convention of state parties selecting a presidential nominee would give way, predictably, to a nation of the individuals choosing among candidates with no party labels to help the voters differentiate. Imagine a crowd of challengers hustling all over the United States, campaigning in a national primary. Such national primaries would also weaken the party system. The likelihood of a runoff in the primary would be even greater than in the general elections.
