How Should We Count Votes?

The Electoral College is a group of people (electors) chosen by voters in each state. The presidential candidate who gets the most votes wins all of the electoral votes for that state.

But this process can create problems, like when one candidate gets more popular votes (the votes of the eligible voters) nationally, but a different candidate wins in states that have larger numbers of electors.

Many people want to change the Electoral College system Many people want to change the Electoral College system. They want all states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, regardless of which candidate wins a particular state.

Others don't want a change Others don't want a change. They say it would cause candidates to focus on states with the largest populations (and therefore the most voters) while ignoring smaller states.

to honor the memory of somebody or something Vocabulary VOCABULARY commemorate (verb) to honor the memory of somebody or something Congress:  the legislative branch of the national government comprising the Senate and House of Representatives

VOCABULARY Congressional district:  an electoral division of a state; entitled to send one member to the U.S. House of Representatives

something handed down to a new generation VOCABULARY legacy (noun) something handed down to a new generation Electoral College:  made up of electors from each state; the group that determines the election of the president and vice president

determination to do something Vocablary VOCABULARY perseverance (noun) determination to do something proportionate: having the correct correspondence between sizes or parts

VOCABULARY subvert: to overthrow or destroy; to cause the destruction of

to boldly declare that something is true VOCABULARY assert: to boldly declare that something is true

to give formal approval and support VOCABULARY endorse: to give formal approval and support

VOCABULARY incentive: something that encourages someone to do something

VOCABULARY Legislation: a law or laws

VOCABULARY Induce: to bring about

VOCABULARY Plurality: the votes received by the winner of an election over the runner-up when no candidate or party has more than 50 percent of the votes

VOCABULARY populated: lived in

VOCABULARY rectify: to make right

Activity: Read the question and try to answer it before you look at the answer choices. Read all of the choices. Eliminate answers you know are not correct. Choose the correct answer.

TASK: As you are reading the article, use the Reading Connection called “Setting the Purpose” to take notes. Then complete the Thought Question. You will receive a writing grade based on your answer. Be sure to include evidence to support your opinion and PROOFREAD!!!

THOUGHT QUESTION: Summarize the article with a minimum of five facts and two direct quotes.