1. ELECTORAL COLLEGE

2. Established in Article II, Section 1 Established in Article II, Section 1 Popular vote in each state chooses the electors for that state Popular vote in each state chooses the electors for that state Electors then vote for the president and vice president Electors then vote for the president and vice president Winner take all system ** Winner take all system ** **Except in Maine and Nebraska – District System How many electors does each state get? How many electors does each state get? Number of House members + number of Senators = number of electors Number of House members + number of Senators = number of electors Ex. TX has 36 members of the House and 2 Senators; How many electors does Texas get? Ex. TX has 36 members of the House and 2 Senators; How many electors does Texas get? 38 38 How many total electors nationwide? How many total electors nationwide? 435 House members 435 House members 100 Senators 100 Senators 3 Electoral Votes for Washington, D.C. 3 Electoral Votes for Washington, D.C. 538 total electoral votes 538 total electoral votes 270 to gain a simple majority 270 to gain a simple majority

3. PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE Winner of popular vote doesn’t always win the electoral college Winner of popular vote doesn’t always win the electoral college 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000 Nothing requires electors to vote for candidate chosen by popular vote Nothing requires electors to vote for candidate chosen by popular vote If no one gets 270 votes, vote goes to House of Representatives If no one gets 270 votes, vote goes to House of Representatives Issues with the House voting for President Issues with the House voting for President Votes by state, not individual members (small population states = large population states) Votes by state, not individual members (small population states = large population states) State loses vote is a majority of their members can’t agree on a candidate State loses vote is a majority of their members can’t agree on a candidate A candidate has to receive at least 26 states to win the election A candidate has to receive at least 26 states to win the election

4. DEFENSE OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE In 57 presidential elections, the winner of the popular vote hasn’t won the electoral college only 4 times In 57 presidential elections, the winner of the popular vote hasn’t won the electoral college only 4 times 93% success rate 93% success rate Vote has gone to the house on twice Vote has gone to the house on twice the last time was in 1824 the last time was in 1824