New MSPC study examines whether - and how - states could adopt an Electoral College

A new research study released today examines whether Idaho’s method for electing statewide executive officers will continue to reflect the state’s geographic diversity as population growth becomes increasingly concentrated in the Boise metropolitan area.

The study, Could a state version of the Electoral College bridge the urban-rural divide, explores the historical roots of the national Electoral College, how states such as Maine and Nebraska allocate presidential electors, and whether similar concepts could be adapted—within constitutional limits—for statewide elections in Idaho.

The research finds that Idaho’s Constitution currently requires statewide executive officers to be elected by statewide plurality, meaning any alternative system that incorporates geographic aggregation would require voter approval through a constitutional amendment. The study evaluates four potential models—county-based, regional, proportional statewide, and legislative-district-based approaches—and assesses their legal viability, administrative complexity, and potential impact on campaign incentives.

Using retrospective simulations of recent Idaho elections, the study concludes that none of the proposed models would have changed past election outcomes. Instead, any effects would be prospective, primarily influencing where and how candidates campaign rather than who wins office.

The study highlights a legislative-district-based framework as the most legally defensible option should policymakers wish to pursue reform, noting that legislative districts are population-balanced and familiar to voters. However, the report does not advocate for a specific policy outcome, emphasizing that Idaho’s current system remains stable and constitutionally grounded.

“As Idaho continues to grow, especially in the Boise area, it’s reasonable to ask whether election rules create incentives for statewide engagement across the entire state,” the study notes. “This research is intended to inform that discussion, not to predetermine it.”

The full study is available on our Published Research page here.

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