1. The Electoral College

3. 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?

4. 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)
: Confusion over double-balloting
1824: No candidate got a majority of votes
1960: Disputed in Illinois-Nixon conceded

5. How the electoral college works..

6. 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.

7. 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)

8. States Make Voting Laws
Variations
Absentee (Oregon)
Early Voting (Nevada)
Disputed Elections….2000 was policies determined at state level.

12. So you want direct election…
France, Finland & Russia are only democracies with direct election
More voter fraud likely
More time to get results->instability

13. Who counts?

14. What does this reveal?

15. There are a total of 538 electoral votes
(the District of Columbia is not a state but is given 3 electoral votes)

16. 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

17. 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

18. How can the winner lose?

19. 2000 Electoral College