The Last Battle: The Electoral College Electoral college, not popular vote, determines who becomes president Unique to America Founders wanted President to be selected by the elite Body of electors vote for the president
The Electoral College- how it works Each state has electoral votes equal to representatives in congress 48 of 50 states have winner take all system Maine and Nebraska, votes broken up into congressional districts, whoever wins the state takes the two remaining electors Electors meet in December and mail votes in to be counted in January and announced by the vice president If no candidate selected with electoral college majority, it is sent to House of Representatives
The Last Battle: The Electoral College Less populated states get an advantage Battleground States- polls show a tight contest where either candidate can win the state These states are visited more by the candidates
Electoral College Number of Senators Number of House of Representative members Equals total number of electoral votes
California 2 Senators 53 House of Representative members 55 electoral votes
California 55 Electoral Votes 38.8 Million Population 705,455 People per electoral Vote
Wyoming 3 Electoral Votes 584,153 population 194,718 per electoral vote
California: 705,455 per electoral Wyoming: 194,718 per electoral vote
Past Elections
Understanding Campaigns and Voting Behavior Socialize and Institutionalize political activity- makes political participation through votes rather than riots and revolution Regular access to political power
Are Nominations and campaigns too democratic? America electoral process is “the permanent campaign” Now in candidate driven era