Electoral College

Schoolhouse Rock Video on Electoral College

What is the Electoral College? Body of electors chosen to represent the people vote for president. register/electoral-college/about.html

How many electors are there per state? Electors are chosen from the total number of Senators and Representatives.

Electoral Map

What are the qualifications to be an Elector? The U.S. Constitution contains very few provisions relating to the qualifications of Electors. Article II, section 1, clause 2 provides that no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. As a historical matter, the 14th Amendment provides that State officials who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States or given aid and comfort to its enemies are disqualified from serving as Electors. This prohibition relates to the post-Civil War era.Article II, section 1, clause 2 Each state’s Certificates of Ascertainment confirms the names of its appointed electors. A state’s certification of its electors is generally sufficient to establish the qualifications of electors.

How do you become president with the Electoral College? Win 270 electoral votes.

Electoral Map

Why do we use the Electoral College? It was a constitutional compromise. Some wanted Congress to choose the President the others wanted the people. Those that wanted Congress to choose the president felt that the population in general did not know enough about the government to make a good decision regarding whom the president should be.

Are there any plans to change it? There have been several attempts to change the electoral college to a direct elect system. The position of elector is present and described in the Constitution so it would require a constitutional amendment. – No amendment has been able to be passed – 12 amendment allows electors to be popularly elected however instead of the representatives to Congress