US Electoral System Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the official date when the elected US president takes office?

  • January 20th (correct)
  • January 1st
  • November 20th
  • November 3rd
  • Which system allows US citizens to express their preferences for presidential candidates?

  • Electoral College (correct)
  • Direct democracy
  • Parliamentary system
  • Proportional representation
  • How many total Electors are involved in the US Electoral College?

  • 100
  • 435
  • 270
  • 538 (correct)
  • What determines the number of Electors each state receives?

    <p>The state's population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must a candidate achieve to win the US presidential election?

    <p>The majority of votes from the Electoral College</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the example where Candidate A obtains 54% of the votes in Utah, how many Electoral College votes does Candidate A receive?

    <p>6</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the critical misconception about the significance of the popular vote in the US electoral system?

    <p>It determines the winner directly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about the US Electoral College?

    <p>Candidates can win the presidency without winning the popular vote.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    US Electoral System Overview

    • Presidential elections occur every 4 years, with voting typically in November.
    • The newly elected president is sworn in on January 20th, taking an oath on the Bible.

    Electoral System Comparison

    • The US system differs from France’s, where the candidate with the majority of the popular vote wins.
    • In the US, citizens vote not directly for president but for electors who represent their chosen candidate in the Electoral College.

    Electoral College Mechanics

    • Each state has a designated number of electors based on its population.
    • In Utah, if Candidate A receives 54% of votes and Candidate B 46%, Candidate A secures all of Utah's 6 Electoral College votes.
    • This winner-takes-all approach in states means that votes for the losing candidate do not contribute to the Electoral College outcome.

    Distribution of Electors

    • There are 538 total electors in the Electoral College, reflecting the combined number of congressional districts and 2 senators per state.
    • States with larger populations have more electors, influencing their total voting power in the election.

    Winning Criteria

    • A candidate needs at least 270 votes from the Electoral College to win.
    • It is possible for a candidate to win the presidency without winning the popular vote due to the structure of the Electoral College.

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    Description

    Explore the unique aspects of the US electoral system in this mini lecture. Learn about the presidential election process, including the timeline of voting and the official swearing-in ceremony. Understand how the US system differs from that of other countries like France.

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