Orange Earth

The Electoral CollegeThe Race to 270

1 The Framers created the electoral college to safeguard the presidency from direct popular election

Introduced by Hamilton

Described in Article II

Consider lack of education, technology, etc.

Each state has as many electoral votes as its combined total of representatives and senatorsFrom the Beginning.

2Electors were originally chosen by the state legislators. Today, they are selected by the parties.Although the Framers expected electors to be independent, they are now expected to vote for their partys candidates for president and vice-presidentThe electors of President and Vice President of each State shall meet and give their votes on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in DecemberRenegade electors?Electoral College

3Winner-Take-AllWinner-take- all system: A candidate who gets the most votes (plurality of votes) wins all of a states electoral votes (except, Maine and Nebraska)

Presidential candidate who receives the most votes wins all of a states electoral votes

Takes 270 out of 538 to win

Candidates devote a disproportionate amount of time and resources to closely contested states, swing states, and competitive states

The winner-take-all system severely restricts the prospects of third-party candidates

4Reasons Why the Electoral College Has not Been Abolished

It would require a constitutional amendment

The electoral college collectively benefits the small states that are guaranteed at least 3 electoral votes

The electoral college benefits racial minorities and interest groups located in key states (i.e. Cuban Americans in Florida)

History/ tradition

Helps to ensure a majority of electoral votes are earned by one candidate

5There is no consensus on how to reform the Electoral College

Most popular Reform Idea: direct election of the president

Other possible reforms: district plan (see ME and NE)

Supposed to be a rubber stamp but popular vote winner CAN lose the electoral college (Bush v. Gore, Florida, Hanging Chad)

Electoral College Reforms

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