Pulling the Shortest Straw: Optimizing the Class System for Party Control of the Senate

• In Event: Elections and Legislative Party Power

Brief Overview

Senators cast lots to determine which seats would be up for re-election in two, four, and six years. This began the senate class system. What are optimal senate classes for each state to achieve certain goals, such as party control?

Authors

• Kelly Branham Smith, Stetson University

• Joshua Eckroth, Stetson University

• Steven M. Smallpage, Stetson University