Article II – The Executive Branch - The Electoral College U.S. History I
What is IT? Group of men or women organized once every 4 years before the Presidential Election. Role is to elect the President. Each State Establishes an Indirect Presidential Election Electors = Senators + Representatives
WHY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE? Mistrust - George Mason, “it would be as unnatural to refer the choice of a proper character for chief magistrate to the people as it would to refer a trial of colors to a blind man.” Favor Elites Vs. Campaigning Vs. Political Parties Keep voting cohesive. 4 million scattered. Retain states’ voice (Even Small States) Good reasons?
How the Votes are Tallied Electors usually align with popular vote (NJ Law). Winner-Take-All System (Most States) Race to 270 (538 Total Electors) – Counted by Senate No Majority? –House of Reps. –Top 3 –States have = Vote (ONE)
The Electoral College Then & Now Then: –2 People for President –1st = President nd = VP –Must vote for one Candidate from another state Now: –2 People (VP & Prez) –Run together on a SINGLE TICKET
What about the Popular Vote? Do the people actually elect the President? Each vote by an individual American is a vote to instruct the electors from your state to vote for the same candidate. Ex. - If you vote for a Republican candidate, you are really voting for an elector who will be pledged to vote for the same candidate. The candidate who receives the most popular votes in the state wins all the pledged votes of the states’ electors.
Problems Continued st Network Report (Gore - 7:50 p.m.) 10 p.m. - Florida - Bush 100,000 vote lead 4:30 a.m. - Bush leads by 2000 Recounts begin - Bush lead down to 500. Chad Problem (Confusing Ballots) Absentee Supreme Court Recount fair in theory, but not in practice. 12/9 Injunction - NO TIME by law for Constitutional recount in Florida.
Bush Vs. Gore Electoral Vote –Bush = 271 –Gore = 266 –FLORIDA = 25 ELECTORAL VOTES Popular Vote –Gore = 50,999,897 –Bush = 50,456,002
Why the Change? The Election of 1800 Tie Burr & TJ (running mates) Hamilton vs. Both Election to House of Reps. –Hamilton’s Influence –Duel Amendment 12 (2 Different Votes for President & VP)
The Election of 1824 John Quincy Adams vs. Andrew Jackson Tie House of Reps. - Henry Clay “Corrupt Bargain” Result
Other Problems With the College 1876 –Tilden - South (Popular) vs. Hayes – North (Electoral) –House of Reps. Can’t Decide –Congressional Committee Composition of Committee 5 From House and Senate; 5 From Supreme Court (7 & 7) (David Davis => Joseph Bradley) –Aftermath - Sectional Problems –Partisan victory secured for Hayes
Where Do You Stand? Arguments For: –Balance small states. –Stability (2-party system) –Prevents Blocs –Retains Federalism Importance of States Central Gov’t. does not control election Arguments Against: Minority President Decreases Voter Turnout Faithless Electors Never Changed Outcome