When it comes to “nationalizing” elections, both parties are constitutional purists until they are not. Federalism is treated as sacred, right up until it becomes an obstacle to winning elections. Then the Constitution’s Elections Clause is rediscovered, Congress suddenly has sweeping authority, and Washington, D.C., must step in to save democracy from the states. The […]
—
When it comes to “nationalizing” elections, both parties are constitutional purists until they are not.
Federalism is treated as sacred, right up until it becomes an obstacle to winning elections. Then the Constitution’s Elections Clause is rediscovered, Congress suddenly has sweeping authority, and Washington, D.C., must step in to save democracy from the states. The only thing that changes from cycle to cycle is which party is making variations of this argument. And that usually depends on who is in power.
