2.  It’s kind of a complicated system, so why did our Founding Fathers create it?  They did consider other options: Popular vote, vote by Congress, vote by state legislatures…  But here’s why they chose the Electoral College…

3.  During this time, there were NO phones, internet, TV…At this time, there was weak communication between states. informed judgments  Founding Fathers were afraid that the people would not be able to make informed judgments about the candidates. popular vote  In a popular vote, sometimes the winner only wins by a very small majority.  Sometimes people vote with their heart and not their head.

4.  Founding Fathers decided to not let Congress elect the president because it gave them too much power.  Guess what? The Electoral College was a COMPROMISE!  Citizens can have a popular vote for the president, and state’s rights are honored.

5.  We’ve always used the Electoral College to elect the president, but that doesn’t mean everyone thinks it’s a perfect system.  Let’s look at the pros and cons and see if it is the best system for electing the president.

6.  It provides a timely final result.  Small states are not drowned out by large cities or states.  It would be hard to get rid of it – an amendment would be needed.

7.  The idea of “one person, one vote” is lost.  Sometimes, the person who becomes the president is not the one who won the popular vote.  If this happens, it may be hard to get people to take him or her seriously.

8.  Here’s the big question: Should we keep the Electoral College, change it, or get rid of it and start from scratch?