This essay examines continuity and change in election rules. Rules governing the conduct of elections are fundamental to democratic institutions and much can be learned from studying how, and when, electoral institutions change. Continuity may be the norm, but instances of change (or reform) allow us the possibility of examining how (or if) new rules might create different outcomes. We begin with a discussion of how, and when, electoral reform might occur. We then consider the effects of two major changes in electoral rules – the adoption of proportional representation and the adoption of legislative term limits – in order to assess if these reforms have lived up to some of the expectations of set by their proponents. We suggest that such reform efforts may have only minimal effects on building political trust, efficacy, and engaging citizens with politics.
