Electoral College Overview and Purpose
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Questions and Answers

How does the electoral college work?

It grants states electors based off the house representation and their 2 senators. These electors then vote for the president based off of voting in their state. Including 3 votes for Washington DC, there are 538 electoral votes. Candidates need 270 to win. If there is a tie, the house will vote on who becomes president and the senate on vice president.

Why was the electoral college put in place?

The founding fathers did not think the people had enough information or wisdom, and they did not trust state legislators to think about national interest. Madison thought it combined the importance of states and population like bicameralism.

How is the number of electors in each state determined?

Each state is allocated a number of electors equal to the number of its U.S. Senators (always 2) plus the number of its U.S. Representatives, which may change each decade according to the population determined in the Census.

How are electors chosen?

<p>State law determines how electors are selected. Generally, political parties nominate electors at their state party conventions or by a vote of the party's central committee.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many total electoral votes are there?

<p>538</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does the total number of electoral votes come from?

<p>100 senators + 435 House Representatives + 3 votes for Washington DC.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many electoral votes does a successful candidate need?

<p>270</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the last time a presidential candidate won the popular vote and lost the electoral vote?

<p>2000</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who determines how the electors in a state are selected?

<p>Political parties choose electors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do 48 states allocate their electors?

<p>In a winner-take-all manner.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the arguments against the electoral college?

<p>It is seen as undemocratic, concentrates attention on swing states, discourages voter turnout and third parties, and allows for faithless electors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the arguments for the electoral college?

<p>It maintains federalism, is technically easier than a national election, gives small states influence, prevents urban-oriented victories, and helps minority groups gain representation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are faithless electors?

<p>Electors who choose to not vote for whom they had previously pledged to vote for.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the National Popular Vote?

<p>It is an interstate compact where states agree to cast their electoral votes for the candidate winning the popular vote.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would have to occur to change to a popular vote?

<p>An amendment to the constitution instituting a popular vote would have to occur.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Electoral College Overview

  • The Electoral College allocates electors based on each state's representation in the House and Senate, totaling 538 electoral votes, with 270 needed to win.
  • Washington D.C. has 3 electoral votes, established by the 23rd Amendment.

Purpose of the Electoral College

  • Founded to address founding fathers' concerns about public wisdom and state legislators' narrow interests.
  • Aimed to balance state and population influence in presidential elections.

Determining Electors

  • Each state has electors equal to its U.S. Senators (always 2) plus its U.S. Representatives, which can vary with population changes reflected in the Census.
  • State laws dictate the process for selecting electors, typically nominated by political parties at conventions.

Electoral Votes Composition

  • Total of 538 electoral votes comes from: 100 Senators + 435 House Representatives + 3 electors for Washington D.C.

Winning Criteria

  • A candidate must secure 270 electoral votes to be declared the winner of the presidential election.

Historical Context

  • The last instance of a candidate winning the popular vote but losing the electoral vote occurred in the 2000 election when Al Gore lost to George W. Bush.

Selection of Electors

  • Initially chosen by state legislatures, electors are now typically nominated by political parties in each state.

Allocation of Electors

  • 48 states use a winner-take-all system to allocate their electoral votes to the candidate who receives the majority.

Controversies of the Electoral College

  • Critics argue it is undemocratic, can disregard the popular vote, skews focus toward swing states, discourages voter turnout, limits third-party participation, and allows faithless electors.

Support for the Electoral College

  • Advocates contend it preserves federalism, simplifies the election process, enhances small state influence, prevents urban dominance, and aids minority representation.

Faithless Electors

  • Faithless electors are those who do not vote for the candidate they were pledged to support.
  • This agreement among states pledges electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote, with 8 states participating totaling 132 electoral votes.
  • Shifting to a popular vote system would require a constitutional amendment.

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Description

Explore the intricacies of the Electoral College, including how electors are determined and the purpose behind its establishment. This quiz covers the total electoral votes, the distribution of electors, and the criteria needed for a candidate to win the presidency.

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