1. Aim: How did the Electoral College misrepresent the will of the American people in 1824? Do now: Who won the Election of 1824?

2. What is the Electoral College? People don’t directly vote for the president, the Electoral College does Each state gets electors (people who vote for the president) the number of electors for each state is based on the population (so highly populated states have more electors). Each state has at least 3 electors Most states today have “winner take all” rule.

3. In order to be elected president you must win the majority of electoral votes. Just one more than half will win it for you!

4. Election of 2012 Romney/ Ryan = 206 Obama/ Biden = 332 Today you Need 270 to be president!

5. The Election of 1824 Back in 1824 there were 261 electors. So how many electoral votes did you need to become president? You need 131 votes. Jackson 99 Adams 84 Crawford 41 Clay 37

6. A Corrupt Bargain… Jackson won popular vote (most citizens voted for him). You must win a majority, which Jackson did not. He won a plurality (the most, but not half) 12 th Amendment: when no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives selects the president. Clay knew he had no shot but remember his job: SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES! Clay disliked Jackson, so knowing he had no shot, got together with JQA and may have said, “ If I can be Secretary of State in your cabinet I ’ ll do what I can to influence people in the House of Representatives to vote for you. (Sec. of State was a very prestigious gig and usually one step before becoming president)

7. John Quincy Adams Becomes President The House voted and JQAdams won enough votes to become president. JQA quickly named Clay as his Sec. of State. Jackson complained that JQA had stolen the election through “ corrupt bargaining ”

8. Conclusion What are the benefits of the Electoral College? What are the drawbacks of it? Discuss with your table: Was the “corrupt bargain” cheating? Or just smart? Do you think politicians still do this today? www270towin.com