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?
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How many total electoral votes are there?
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Where does the total number of electoral votes come from?
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How many electoral votes does a successful candidate need?
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What was the last time a presidential candidate won the popular vote and lost the electoral vote?
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Who determines how the electors in a state are selected?
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How do 48 states allocate their electors?
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What are the arguments against the electoral college?
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What are the arguments for the electoral college?
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What are faithless electors?
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What is the National Popular Vote?
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What would have to occur to change to a popular vote?
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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.
National Popular Vote Compact
- This agreement among states pledges electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote, with 8 states participating totaling 132 electoral votes.
Constitutional Change for Popular Vote
- 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.
