The Electoral College
Background… Why do we have it? How many times has the outcome of the electoral college differed from that of the popular vote? What were other reasons for disputed elections?
The Constitution; compromise bet. Feds and Anti-Feds 3 Times: 1876, 1888, 2000 (This happens when candidates when lots of small states with fewer voters but electoral votes that “count” for more. Eg: 3 electoral votes in Montana v. 3 in California) 3. 1800: Confusion over double-balloting 1824: No candidate got a majority of votes 1960: Disputed in Illinois-Nixon conceded
How the electoral college works..
Against the possibility of electing a minority president the risk of so-called "faithless" Electors, the possible role of the Electoral College in depressing voter turnout, and its failure to accurately reflect the national popular will.
For contributes to the cohesiveness of the country by requiring a distribution of popular support enhances the status of minority interests, contributes to the political stability of the nation by encouraging a two party system maintains a federal system of government and representation (candidates must appeal to several different state interests)
States Make Voting Laws Variations Absentee (Oregon) Early Voting (Nevada) Disputed Elections….2000 was policies determined at state level.
So you want direct election… France, Finland & Russia are only democracies with direct election More voter fraud likely More time to get results->instability
Who counts?
What does this reveal?
There are a total of 538 electoral votes (the District of Columbia is not a state but is given 3 electoral votes)
48 out of the 50 states have a “winner takes all” method If you get the most votes in that state you get ALL of their electoral college votes
Total Votes in 2000 Election: Bush 50,461,092 total votes (47.9%) 271 Electoral Votes Gore 50,994,086 total votes (48.4%) 266 Electoral Votes Nader 2,882,728 total votes (2.7%) 0 Electoral College Votes
How can the winner lose?
2000 Electoral College