Lizzie Lee, Julie Hesaltine, Kate Larsen, and Lindsey Jones

Winner-Take All feature  In a winner take all system, the candidate who receives the majority of the popular vote in a state receives all of the electoral votes of that state.  All states except Maine and Nebraska have the winner-take-all feature

Effect of Winner-Take-All on Campaigns  Candidates must campaign to all states, since even small or low populated states have an impact on the outcome of the Electoral College vote.  Sabato says that “without the Electoral College, half of the states with small population would stand little chance of seeing much of the presidential candidates.”  Candidates also must focus on large and swing states  Policies are important because an issue can swing voters in a state  Candidates’ choice of Vice-Presidency to achieve regional balance

Winner-Take-All and Third Parties  Winner-take-all system is geared for a two- party system  Although it’s possible to gain popular votes, it’s nearly impossible for a third party candidate to gain electoral votes because they cannot take a state in the winner-take- all system  Due to this, it is hard for them to raise money and campaign because people feel a vote for them is a wasted vote

Why has the Electoral College not been abolished?  Without the Electoral College, there would be a huge fragmentation of the political system, because it would encourage a multiparty system  Without the Electoral College, small states and minorities would receive less representation and attention  The Electoral College is an American tradition