History of Electoral college in Timeline
An electoral college is a body that elects a candidate to a specific office, often the head of state or government in a democracy. Electors, the members of the college, are either directly elected by the populace or chosen by subregional entities or social organizations. This system is primarily used in political contexts for appointing leadership positions and sometimes the upper house of parliament. The electoral college serves as an intermediary between the general population and the selection of key political figures.
1905: Switch to Direct Elections
Norway switched from using regional electoral colleges to direct elections for the Storting (legislature) in 1905.
1910: Elimination of Electoral College
In 1910, Colombia abolished its electoral college system.
1920: Last Election by Electoral College
The last Chilean presidential election using the electoral college took place in 1920.
1925: Constitutional Amendment and Direct Elections
Chile amended its constitution in 1925 and replaced the electoral college with direct elections by popular vote.
1925: Electoral College Established
Finland established an electoral college for presidential elections in 1925.
1931: Second Republic and Electoral College
With the start of the Second Republic in 1931, Spain's president was elected by an electoral college.
1936: End of Second Republic
The Spanish Second Republic ended in 1936, marking the end of the electoral college system for presidential elections.
1940: New Constitution
Paraguay adopted a new constitution in 1940, replacing the 1870 Constitution.
1943: Direct Elections Implemented
Paraguay replaced its electoral college with direct elections by popular vote in 1943.
1944: Exception Law for Presidential Election
In 1944, an exception law was used in Finland for the presidential election, deviating from the usual electoral college process.
1946: Parliamentary Election of President
The Finnish parliament elected the president in 1946.
1948: National Assembly Elections Begin
From 1948, the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) began to be elected by the National Assembly.
1949: Peronist Amendment
The 1949 constitutional reform, initiated by President Juan Perón, replaced the electoral college with direct elections via popular vote.
1951: First Direct Elections under Peronist Amendment
Argentina held its first direct presidential elections in 1951 under the 1949 Peronist amendment.
1954: Second Direct Elections under Peronist Amendment
Argentina held its second direct presidential elections in 1954, still under the 1949 Peronist amendment.
1954: End of Legislative Election of President
France ended the practice of having the legislature elect the president in 1954.
1957: Repeal of Peronist Amendment
The 1957 constitutional convention repealed the 1949 Peronist amendment, reinstating the electoral college.
1958: Electoral College Reinstated
Argentina's electoral college was reinstated and used for the general elections in 1958.
1961: Appointment of President
In 1961, the state president of South Africa began being appointed by members of the House of Assembly and the Senate.
1962: Referendum for Direct Elections
A referendum held in 1962 approved the switch to direct elections for the French presidency.
1964: Electoral College under Military Dictatorship
Brazil's military dictatorship started using an electoral college to choose its president in 1964.
1965: Implementation of Two-Round Direct Elections
France implemented a two-round system of direct elections for its presidency in 1965.
1972: Electoral College under Dictatorship
From 1972, the president of South Korea was elected by an electoral college during the Fourth and Fifth Republics.
1972: Temporary Constitutional Reform
In 1972, the military junta enacted a temporary constitutional reform establishing a two-round direct election system for presidential elections.
March 1973: Direct Elections
In March 1973, general elections in Argentina were held using a two-round direct election system established by the outgoing military junta.
September 1973: Second Direct Elections of 1973
In September 1973, Argentina held its second set of general elections in that year, still utilizing a two-round direct election system.
1973: Presidential Term Extended by Exception Law
In 1973, an exception law extended the term of the Finnish president.
1981: End of Fifth Republic
The Fifth Republic, and its system of presidential election by electoral college, ended in 1981.
1983: Return to Electoral College
Argentina returned to using the electoral college for presidential elections between 1983 and 1993.
1983: New Constitution and Electoral College
South Africa adopted a new constitution in 1983, which established an electoral college with members designated by the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and House of Delegates.
1987: Democratization and Direct Elections
South Korea transitioned to direct presidential elections in 1987 after democratization.
1988: Last Regular Use of Electoral College
1988 marked the last regular use of Finland's electoral college for presidential elections.
1988: New Constitution and Restoration of Democracy
A new constitution was established in Brazil in 1988, leading to the restoration of democracy and paving the way for direct presidential elections.
1989: Return to Direct Elections
After the end of the military dictatorship, Brazil replaced the electoral college with a two-round direct election system in 1989.
1993: Last Use of the Electoral College
1993 marked the last time Argentina used the electoral college before its final abolishment in 1994.
1994: Direct Elections Implemented
Finland switched to a two-round system of direct elections for its presidency in 1994.
1994: Argentina abolishes Electoral College
In 1994, Argentina abolished the Electoral College, which had been used since 1853, and replaced it with a two-round system of direct elections by popular vote.
1994: End of Apartheid and Parliamentary Election of President
With the end of apartheid in 1994, the electoral college was abolished, and the South African Parliament became responsible for electing the president.
1995: Implementation of Two-Round Direct Elections
A modified two-round direct election system was implemented in Argentina in 1995.
1996: Democratization and Direct Elections
Democratization in 1996 led to the implementation of direct elections for the President of the Republic of China.