Election Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“Nothing can be more evident, than that an exclusive power of regulating elections for the National Government, in the hands of the State Legislatures, would leave the existence of the Union entirely at their mercy . . . . It is to little purpose to say that a neglect or omission of this kind [not letting the feds have elections], would be unlikely to take place. The constitutional possibility of the thing, without an equivalent for the risk, is an unanswerable objection.”
About This Quote
Source Federalist Papers: No. 78, 1788
Centralizing election control in state legislatures threatens national unity by making the Union dependent on their whims.
In simple terms: State control of elections endangers the Union.
Key Takeaway
Limit state power over elections.
Themes
government
constitution
federalism
political power
union stability
Mood
cautious
analytical
concerned
Type
political
historical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- legislative reform
- constitutional amendment
- federal oversight
- political negotiation
Key Concepts
separation of powers
checks and balances
electoral integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can federal authority ensure fair elections without overreach?
- What safeguards protect the Union from state dominance?
A Different Perspective
State legislatures may still resist federal standards, creating conflict.
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