What is the Electoral College?

Electoral College Objective: To analyze the Electoral College, as well as proposed alternatives, and consider which is the most effective and efficient way to elect our nation’s leader. Essential Skill: Examine information from more than one point of view, assess the information, and draw conclusions (C4 & C8)

Elections in 50 states that award delegates to the convention January June August November Primaries start …and end DNC/RNC The General Election Elections in 50 states that award delegates to the convention Elections in 50 states that award electoral votes in the electoral college

Democratic Primary Results 2008 Purple denotes an Obama win and gold a Clinton win TOTAL DELEGATES IN THE NATION: 4,223 June 3, 2008 Montana primary Jan.3, 2008 Iowa caucuses Candidates “win” a state by passing their opponent in total votes in that state’s presidential primary or caucus – Yet every candidate gets some “delegates” depending on how much of that popular vote they received. The candidate with the most delegates will win the nomination at the national party convention in August

The Constitutional system for electing the President THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE The Constitutional system for electing the President The Idea Behind the Electoral College The Process of the Electoral College How to Win the Presidency

The Idea Behind the Electoral College The Founders sought to protect the Presidential election from manipulation, to preserve states’ rights and to put a check on the people’s choice for President… goal solution …they created a two-step presidential election process so that the President is not directly elected by the people.

 The Process of the Electoral College Pennsylvania Jane 6,317,640 Bob 5,751,398 Lucy 388,350  All of Pennsylvania’s 20 Electoral Votes are awarded to Candidate Jane... EACH STATE’S # OF ELECTORAL VOTES IS DIFFERENT BASED ON ITS POPULATION COMPARED TO ALL OTHER STATES 18 House members + 2 Senators = 20

How to Win the Presidency The Winner is….. THE CANDIDATE WITH THE MOST ELECTORAL VOTES IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY TOTAL POSSIBLE ELECTORAL VOTES = 538 100 members of US Senate 435 members of US House of Representatives 3 for the District of Columbia (Wash D.C.)

2012 Electoral College Results in the Presidential Election

$$$ spent by Kerry and Bush in final 5 weeks of 2004 Election States visited by Kerry and Bush in final 5 weeks of 2004 Election $$$ spent by Kerry and Bush in final 5 weeks of 2004 Election

Due to “Winner Takes All”…. Candidates focus on large, competitive (“swing”) states while ignoring other states Discourages third parties Candidate may win presidency but lose popular votes 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000

Other Downsides to the System 4. Possibility of “faithless electors” 5. Voter Turnout – wasted vote in safe states 6. Votes of all citizens do not count equally NOT “one person one vote” Modest boost to smaller states: “Overrepresented” 1 WY Elector = 165,101 votes; 1 CA Elector = 617,000 votes

So Why Do we Have it? It was in the Constitution Would need a Constitutional Amendment 2. Helps to focus electoral problems Imagine a nationwide recount 3. Gives legitimacy to the winner Woodrow Wilson won 41.8% of vote (81.9% EC) 4. Ensures federalism Candidates must develop diverse and inclusive platforms

Quick Review What is the main difference between most elections and presidential elections? Who created the electoral college and why? How many electoral votes does it take to win the Presidency? How is the number of electoral votes per state determined? How might the number of electoral votes a state has impact campaigns?

Which option is best? Electoral College Direct Election Proportional Plan District Vote National Popular Vote

Topics for fishbowl debate : Introduce the proposed alternatives to the Electoral College. Then debate over which of the methods would be the best for our country. Those observing take notes on the discussion.

Format Direct Election & Proportional Election (10 minutes) District Plan & National Popular Vote (10 minutes)

Reflection Write a one minute paper explaining why you voted for the plan you did. If you voted differently than at the beginning of class describe how your thinking changed. ** Campaign Finance Packet due Monday for homework!

Analyzing the Health of our Democracy What do you know about the 2000 Presidential Election?

2,883,105 votes 50,999,897 votes 50,456,002 votes

537 VOTES

Popular Vote in Florida 2,912,790= Bush 2,912,253= Gore

A felon list was distributed in Florida and some were wrongly denied the right to vote b/c of their name

Should ex-felons be allowed to vote? What problems exist in our democracy in regards to political participation (voting & elections)? ID points of bias in the film

Questions to Consider… Assess the health of our democracy through the 2000 Presidential Election Cite specific problems that may be representative of overall problems that may exist Identify the biggest problem Offer suggestions of how to fix the problems Do not take a political stance (R or D) – rather make a detached observation