 starter activity Why do you think the US have an electoral college system rather than direct elections?

How powerful is the Electoral College? Examining the workings of the Electoral College and assess its strengths and weaknesses  Aims

The general election campaign End of ‘intra-party’ start of ‘inter-party’ campaign End of ‘intra-party’ start of ‘inter-party’ campaign Begins on Labor Day (1 st Mon in Sept) Begins on Labor Day (1 st Mon in Sept) Runs 8-9 weeks Runs 8-9 weeks TV debates, tours of states with high no. of Electoral College votes or ‘swing states’ TV debates, tours of states with high no. of Electoral College votes or ‘swing states’

Electoral College – how it works Each state awarded set no. of electoral college votes, e.g. California 55, Nevada 4 Each state awarded set no. of electoral college votes, e.g. California 55, Nevada 4 No. of ECVs matches no. of seats that state has in Congress No. of ECVs matches no. of seats that state has in Congress Total of 538 ECVs Total of 538 ECVs Candidate must win absolute majority (270 or more) Candidate must win absolute majority (270 or more) Winner takes all process, i.e. candidate with largest share of votes in each state takes all the ECVs in that state Winner takes all process, i.e. candidate with largest share of votes in each state takes all the ECVs in that state

Worse case scenarios Vice-president announces result Vice-president announces result If no clear majority, president elected by House of Representatives (each state having one vote, i.e. 50 votes in total) If no clear majority, president elected by House of Representatives (each state having one vote, i.e. 50 votes in total) Winner would gain 26 votes Winner would gain 26 votes Ballotting continues until majority achieved Ballotting continues until majority achieved Vice president elected by Senate, each senator given 1 votes (i.e. majority of 51 required) Vice president elected by Senate, each senator given 1 votes (i.e. majority of 51 required)

 Your task Complete a scales chart recording the advantages and disadvantages of having electoral colleges. Complete a scales chart recording the advantages and disadvantages of having electoral colleges.

Possible reforms Maine System – votes allocated according to Congressional districts won (similar to constituencies) and 2 additional votes for winning the state Maine System – votes allocated according to Congressional districts won (similar to constituencies) and 2 additional votes for winning the state BUT – results only marginally different & sometimes less proportionate BUT – results only marginally different & sometimes less proportionate

Possible reforms Allocation of Electoral College votes in proportion to popular vote Allocation of Electoral College votes in proportion to popular vote Fairer to third and smaller parties Fairer to third and smaller parties BUT less likely that one candidate would gain a clear majority BUT less likely that one candidate would gain a clear majority Would require setting of a threshold to limit unelectable candidates & abolition of requirement of a majority Would require setting of a threshold to limit unelectable candidates & abolition of requirement of a majority

Possible reforms Automatic plan – abolishing electors and making allocation of votes automatic Automatic plan – abolishing electors and making allocation of votes automatic Direct election plan – popular with voters (61%, 2000) but increases likelihood of recounts such as Florida, 2000 Direct election plan – popular with voters (61%, 2000) but increases likelihood of recounts such as Florida, 2000

Plenary Plenary How is the number of electoral college votes counted? How is the number of electoral college votes counted? List 2 advantages & 3 disadvantages with the system List 2 advantages & 3 disadvantages with the system Give 2 examples of how it might be reformed Give 2 examples of how it might be reformed