Podcast
Questions and Answers
When will Americans cast their votes in the 2024 presidential election, according to the article?
When will Americans cast their votes in the 2024 presidential election, according to the article?
- November 5, 2024 (correct)
- October 17, 2024
- December 25, 2024
- January 20, 2025
What is the name of the process the US uses to elect the president and vice president?
What is the name of the process the US uses to elect the president and vice president?
- Electoral College (correct)
- Popular Vote System
- Direct Democracy
- Congressional Election
What do voters cast their ballots for in the Electoral College system?
What do voters cast their ballots for in the Electoral College system?
- Representatives
- Senators
- Electors (correct)
- Presidential Candidates
How many electoral votes does a state receive?
How many electoral votes does a state receive?
How many total electoral votes are there?
How many total electoral votes are there?
How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win the presidency?
How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win the presidency?
What does “winner-takes-all” mean in the context of the Electoral College?
What does “winner-takes-all” mean in the context of the Electoral College?
In which scenario is it possible to win the presidency without winning the national popular vote?
In which scenario is it possible to win the presidency without winning the national popular vote?
What is one argument against the Electoral College mentioned?
What is one argument against the Electoral College mentioned?
What is one argument in favor of the Electoral College mentioned?
What is one argument in favor of the Electoral College mentioned?
What is the period between the election and the new president taking office called?
What is the period between the election and the new president taking office called?
When does the new president's term officially begin?
When does the new president's term officially begin?
Which state has the most electoral votes?
Which state has the most electoral votes?
How many senators does each state have, regardless of population?
How many senators does each state have, regardless of population?
What is the minimum number of electors a state can have?
What is the minimum number of electors a state can have?
Flashcards
Electoral College
Electoral College
A group formed every four years to elect the US president and vice president, voting on behalf of each state based on its popular vote.
Electors
Electors
Members of the Electoral College who cast votes for president based on their state's popular vote.
Electoral Vote Allocation
Electoral Vote Allocation
Each state gets two electoral votes for its senators, plus votes based on its number of representatives in the House.
Winner-Takes-All System
Winner-Takes-All System
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Electoral vs. Popular Vote Discrepancy
Electoral vs. Popular Vote Discrepancy
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Transition Period
Transition Period
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Inauguration Ceremony
Inauguration Ceremony
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Popular Vote
Popular Vote
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Study Notes
- On November 5, 2024, Americans will vote for the next president, either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.
- Winning the popular vote is important, but candidates need a majority of electoral votes to secure the presidency.
The Electoral College
- The Electoral College is the process by which Americans elect the president and vice president.
- Voters cast ballots for electors, who then vote on behalf of the states.
- If a candidate wins the popular vote in a state, that state’s electors vote for that candidate.
- Each state gets two electoral votes for its senators, plus more based on its House representatives.
- The number of House members is based on the state's population size.
- California has 54 electoral votes due to its two senators and 52 House members.
- Smaller states always have at least three electors.
- A candidate needs at least 270 of the 538 total electoral votes to win.
Winner-Takes-All System
- Most states use a winner-takes-all system, where the candidate with the most votes in a state gets all of its electoral votes.
- Candidates don't need a large margin, just slightly over 50% of the vote, to secure a state's electoral votes.
- It's possible to win the presidency without winning the national popular vote because of this system.
- In 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote, but George W. Bush won the presidency through electoral votes.
Arguments For and Against the Electoral College
- Some argue the Electoral College should be abolished because it may not reflect the country's popular preference.
- It can discourage voting, especially in states strongly favoring one party.
- Supporters say it ensures people in less populated areas have an equal say.
- Without it, candidates might focus only on populous states like California, New York, and Texas.
- There have been five instances in US history where the electoral vote winner lost the popular vote.
Presidential Transition
- The winner is usually announced on election night, unless the race is very close.
- The transition period follows the election, during which the new leader chooses a team and prepares for office.
- The new president's term starts after the inauguration ceremony, typically on January 20 of the next year.
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