The Electoral College

Some terms to know Popular Vote- the votes cast by (U.S.) citizens in an election Electors- a body of people selected by each party within a state that will be responsible for casting that states’ electoral vote

Some terms to know Popular Vote- the votes cast by (U.S.) citizens in an election Electors- a body of people selected by each party within a state that will be responsible for cast that states’ electoral vote

More terms to know College Electoral - College The collective name for all the state electors. These electors in their state capitals to vote for the President & V.P. Each state has as many presidential electors as it has representatives in both house of Congress.

More terms to know College Electoral - College The collective name for all the state electors. These electors in their state capitals to vote for the President & V.P. Each state has as many presidential electors as it has representatives in both house of Congress.

And more terms Plurality- the most of something (votes), but NOT more than 1/2 Majority- a number more than 1/2 of a total

And more terms Plurality- the most of something (votes), but NOT more than 1/2 Majority- a number more than 1/2 of a total

And more terms An elector who goes Faithless elector- An elector who goes against his state’s popular vote (& his pledge to vote for his party’s candidate) Swing State- a state in which no single candidate or party has overwhelming support in securing that state's electoral votes.

And more terms An elector who goes Faithless elector- An elector who goes against his state’s popular vote (& his pledge to vote for his party’s candidate) Swing State- a state in which no single candidate or party has overwhelming support in securing that state's electoral votes.

Origin and History The electoral college system was devised as a compromise by the Framers of the Constitution. They believed that the people could not be trusted to select the best person for the job They didn’t want Congress (the “smartest people”) to have the power to choose the President, because they felt he would be “under their thumb.”

Origin and History The electoral college system was devised as a compromise by the Framers of the Constitution. They believed that the people could not be trusted to select the best person for the job They didn’t want Congress (the “smartest people”) to have the power to choose the President, because they felt he would be “under their thumb.”

Origin and History Electoral votes are based on the number of Senators & Representatives of each state and this compromise benefited both large and small states. Originally, each elector would cast two votes. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes would be declared the President and the runner-up would be declared the Vice President.

Origin and History Electoral votes are based on the number of Senators & Representatives of each state and this compromise benefited both large and small states. Originally, each elector would cast two votes. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes would be declared the President and the runner-up would be declared the Vice President.

The Current Electoral Process The emergence of political parties caused a problem with this process and so the Twelfth Amendment was adopted. Amendment 12-Ratified June 15, 1804: Established separate ballots for President and Vice-President to try to rectify this problem caused by the dominance of political parties

The Current Electoral Process The emergence of political parties caused a problem with this process and so the Twelfth Amendment was adopted. Amendment 12-Ratified June 15, 1804: Established separate ballots for President and Vice-President to try to rectify this problem caused by the dominance of political parties

The Current Electoral Process After the 12th Amendment, each elector cast two votes: 1 for the office of President, and 1 for the office of Vice-President. Each states’ electors are selected by the people through the popular vote. When the people vote in the November election, they are actually voting for electors from a particular political party i.e.-if you cast your vote for “Obama,” you’re actually voting for a democratic elector, who has pledged to cast their electoral vote for Obama, if Obama wins PA’s popular vote

The Current Electoral Process After the 12th Amendment, each elector cast two votes: 1 for the office of President, and 1 for the office of Vice-President. Each states’ electors are selected by the people through the popular vote. When the people vote in the November election, they are actually voting for electors from a particular political party i.e.-if you cast your vote for “Obama,” you’re actually voting for a democratic elector, who has pledged to cast their electoral vote for Obama, if Obama wins PA’s popular vote

The Current Electoral Process Today, 48/50 states have adopted the winner-take-all system. Under this system, the candidate who receives the largest percentage of the popular vote will get ALL that state’s electoral votes. Only Nebraska and Maine use the “district plan;” two electors are chosen from the entire state, and the rest are chosen from the Congressional Districts. Therefore, these states’ electoral votes can be distributed among different candidates.

The Current Electoral Process Today, 48/50 states have adopted the winner-take-all system. Under this system, the candidate who receives the largest percentage of the popular vote will get ALL that state’s electoral votes. Only Nebraska and Maine use the “district plan;” two electors are chosen from the entire state, and the rest are chosen from the Congressional Districts. Therefore, these states’ electoral votes can be distributed among different candidates.

How is a candidate elected President? A candidate must receive the majority of electoral votes The candidate must receive 270 of the 538 votes (269 is ½ of 538, so 270 is the smallest majority)

How is a candidate elected President? A candidate must receive the majority of electoral votes The candidate must receive 270 of the 538 votes (269 is ½ of 538, so 270 is the smallest majority)

What happens if no candidate receives the majority ? The top 3 candidates with the largest number of electoral votes will then go to: House of Representatives-President Senate-Vice-President

What happens if no candidate receives the majority ? The top 3 candidates with the largest number of electoral votes will then go to: House of Representatives-President Senate-Vice-President

In the House of Representatives Each state receives ONE VOTE; that states’ Representatives vote as a delegation The candidate who receives a majority (At least 26) of the states’ votes in the House will become the next President The House has chosen the President twice: in 1801 & 1824

In the House of Representatives Each state receives ONE VOTE; that states’ Representatives vote as a delegation The candidate who receives a majority (At least 26) of the states’ votes in the House will become the next President The House has chosen the President twice: in 1801 & 1824

In the Senate Each Senator receives 1 vote The candidate who receives a majority (At least 51) of the Senators’ votes will become the next Vice-President The Senate has chosen the Vice-President once: in 1837

In the Senate Each Senator receives 1 vote The candidate who receives a majority (At least 51) of the Senators’ votes will become the next Vice-President The Senate has chosen the Vice-President once: in 1837

Disadvantages of the Electoral College The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Electoral College

Advantages The electoral college supports the federal system. The blocks of electoral votes give the states an important role in Presidential elections. The electoral college helps to preserve a 2-party system and encourages moderation. Third parties have little chance of drawing much support, and many people would feel like they wasted their vote if they voted for one of these third parties. The system has served the U.S. very well thus far.

Advantages The electoral college supports the federal system. The blocks of electoral votes give the states an important role in Presidential elections. The electoral college helps to preserve a 2-party system and encourages moderation. Third parties have little chance of drawing much support, and many people would feel like they wasted their vote if they voted for one of these third parties. The system has served the U.S. very well thus far.

More Advantages It is a known process. Other alternatives have not been tried or tested, and may have similar flaws. It tends to identify the winner quickly. In most instances, the President is quickly identified, which is important for a stable government. The system works most of the time. Only 6 times has the Electoral system’s flaws been apparent.

More Advantages It is a known process. Other alternatives have not been tried or tested, and may have similar flaws. It tends to identify the winner quickly. In most instances, the President is quickly identified, which is important for a stable government. The system works most of the time. Only 6 times has the Electoral system’s flaws been apparent.

Disadvantages Winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed to win the election. Since most states use the winner-take-all method, a candidate can win up to 49% of the state’s popular votes, but lose ALL the electoral votes. Citizens of smaller states get a “larger” voice in the electoral vote. Since each state gets a # of electoral votes equal to its’ Congressmen/women, all people are not equally represented. The winner of the popular vote has failed to win the electoral vote 4 times: 1824, 1876, 1888, & 2000

Disadvantages Winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed to win the election. Since most states use the winner-take-all method, a candidate can win up to 49% of the state’s popular votes, but lose ALL the electoral votes. Citizens of smaller states get a “larger” voice in the electoral vote. Since each state gets a # of electoral votes equal to its’ Congressmen/women, all people are not equally represented. The winner of the popular vote has failed to win the electoral vote 4 times: 1824, 1876, 1888, & 2000

More Disadvantages The Constitution does not require electors to cast their electoral votes in line with their state’s popular vote. “Faithless electors” have broken their pledge only a very few times, and it has NEVER had a bearing on the outcome of the Presidential election. The contest could be decided by the House of Representatives. When this happens, it COMPLETELY takes the election out of the people’s hands. The House has decided two elections: in 1800 & 1824.

More Disadvantages The Constitution does not require electors to cast their electoral votes in line with their state’s popular vote. “Faithless electors” have broken their pledge only a very few times, and it has NEVER had a bearing on the outcome of the Presidential election. The contest could be decided by the House of Representatives. When this happens, it COMPLETELY takes the election out of the people’s hands. The House has decided two elections: in 1800 & 1824.

More Disadvantages The number of electoral votes in large states makes them very important to win. Therefore, candidates concentrate their efforts in those states with the most electoral votes, and some small states get ignored. Top Eleven States 1. California 6. Illinois 2. Texas 7. Ohio 3. New York 8. Michigan 4. Florida 9. Georgia 5. Pennsylvania 10. N. Carolina 11. New Jersey

More Disadvantages The number of electoral votes in large states makes them very important to win. Therefore, candidates concentrate their efforts in those states with the most electoral votes, and some small states get ignored. Top Eleven States 1. California 6. Illinois 2. Texas 7. Ohio 3. New York 8. Michigan 4. Florida 9. Georgia 5. Pennsylvania 10. N. Carolina 11. New Jersey

More Disadvantages Importance of “Swing States.” Candidates tend to ignore states that they feel they will win easily or have no chance of winning, instead they concentrate on the swing states. This leads to the issues that are important to swing states being emphasized, while other issues can be marginalized.

More Disadvantages Importance of “Swing States.” Candidates tend to ignore states that they feel they will win easily or have no chance of winning, instead they concentrate on the swing states. This leads to the issues that are important to swing states being emphasized, while other issues can be marginalized.