A candidate can become president of the United States by securing the electoral votes of the 11 states with the most electoral votes. To the best of your ability, make a list of these states.

A candidate can become president of the United States by securing the electoral votes of the 11 states with the most electoral votes. To the best of your ability, make a list of these states. California (55 Electoral Votes) Texas (34 Electoral Votes) New York (31 Electoral Votes) Florida (27 Electoral Votes) Pennsylvania (21 Electoral Votes) Illinois (21 Electoral Votes) Ohio (20 Electoral Votes) Michigan (17 Electoral Votes) New Jersey (15 Electoral Votes) North Carolina (15 Electoral Votes) Georgia (15 Electoral Votes) TOTAL 271 Electoral Votes

The Electoral Process Essential Question: How is the President of the United States elected to that office?

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Many Democrats seek their party’s nomination Campaigns & Debates Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring” Many Republicans seek their party’s nomination Campaigns & Debates

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Many Democrats seek their party’s nomination Campaigns & Debates Primaries & Caucuses Primaries & caucuses held in each state Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008) New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008) Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring” Many Republicans seek their party’s nomination Campaigns & Debates Primaries & Caucuses

Is our current method of nomination fair? B. http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/calendar.asp?cycle=2008

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Many Democrats seek their party’s nomination Campaigns & Debates Primaries & Caucuses Obama secures the nomination Primaries & caucuses held in each state Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008) New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008) Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring” Many Republicans seek their party’s nomination Campaigns & Debates Primaries & Caucuses McCain secures the nomination

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Many Democrats seek their party’s nomination Campaigns & Debates Primaries & Caucuses Obama secures the nomination Obama selects Biden as his running mate Primaries & caucuses held in each state Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008) New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008) Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring” Many Republicans seek their party’s nomination Campaigns & Debates Primaries & Caucuses McCain selects Palin as his running mate McCain secures the nomination

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008) Parties Hold National Conventions Develop the party platform Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally) Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008) Parties Hold National Conventions Develop the party platform Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally) Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced Candidates campaign against each other and debate the issues Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008) General Election 1st Tues. after the 1st Mon. in Nov. (Nov. 4, 2008) The “popular vote” is conducted Eligible citizens vote for the “electors” for Obama & McCain Parties Hold National Conventions Develop the party platform Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally) Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced Candidates campaign against each other and debate the issues Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Obama: 69,456,897 Popular Votes Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008) General Election 1st Tues. after the 1st Mon. in Nov. (Nov. 4, 2008) The “popular vote” is conducted Eligible citizens vote for the “electors” for Obama & McCain Parties Hold National Conventions Develop the party platform Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally) Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced Candidates campaign against each other and debate the issues McCain: 59,934,814 Popular Votes Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Obama: 365 Electoral Votes Electoral College Votes 1st Mon. after the 2nd Wed. in December (Dec. 15, 2008) Electors vote at their respective state capitols Must receive 270 votes to win Usually just a formality, the results are not in doubt McCain: 173 Electoral Votes

2008 Presidential Election McCain: 173 Electoral Votes Obama: 365 Electoral Votes

The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example) Obama: 365 Electoral Votes Electoral College Votes 1st Mon. after the 2nd Wed. in December (Dec. 15, 2008) Electors vote at their respective state capitols Must receive 270 votes to win Usually just a formality, the results are not in doubt Inauguration Occurs Jan. 20 at 12:00 (noon) Sworn-in by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court McCain: 173 Electoral Votes

Why did the “Framers” create the Electoral College system?

Is the Electoral College system still necessary?

Change the method by which we choose a president because… The system favors states with large populations, so small states are ignored by presidential candidates. The winner-take-all aspect hinders 3rd parties b/c it is very unlikely that independents & 3rd party candidates will win any states. The popular vote winner can lose the election, thus thwarting the will of the majority. Although rare, a “faithless elector” can violate their pledge to vote for a specific candidate…it’s undemocratic. The system was created b/c the citizenry was largely illiterate & uninformed in the late 1700s…this is no longer the case.

Keep the method by which we choose a president because… A close popular vote can result in a landslide electoral victory, giving the appearance that the president-elect has the overwhelming support of the people…a “mandate”. The state-by-state results simplify the recount procedures, rather than requiring a nation-wide recount. The requirement of 270 electoral votes in order to win, forces a candidate to appeal to a broad group of voters. The system has worked well for over 200 years and should not be tampered with.

Summarizer: Word Splash Each of the items below have had some significance regarding our discussion of the Electoral College. Use each in a word splash. Write in complete sentences and underline each word as you use it. Popular Vote Electoral Vote Primaries and Caucuses General Election Inauguration Debates