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Questions and Answers
What is the official date when the elected US president takes office?
Which system allows US citizens to express their preferences for presidential candidates?
How many total Electors are involved in the US Electoral College?
What determines the number of Electors each state receives?
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What must a candidate achieve to win the US presidential election?
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In the example where Candidate A obtains 54% of the votes in Utah, how many Electoral College votes does Candidate A receive?
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What is the critical misconception about the significance of the popular vote in the US electoral system?
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Which of the following statements is true about the US Electoral College?
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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.
