2. The U.S. Electoral College

3. Rationale It is important for students to be aware of the importance of the Electoral College and its function. They must also understand why it was created and how the Electoral College affects Presidential Campaigns.

4. Objectives 1) list the primary reasons that the Electoral College was created 2) list the drawbacks of the Electoral College 3) Discuss, in a knowledgeable manner, whether the Electoral College is still needed to elect the President

5. What do the following four men all have in common? A. Andrew Jackson B. Samuel Tilden C. Grover Cleveland D. Al Gore

6. The Answer They all won the popular vote in a Presidential election but did not become President.

7. 1824 Popular Vote Andrew Jackson 43% John Q. Adams 30.5% Electoral Vote Jackson99 votes Adams 84 * Adams elected by House of Representatives when Jackson did not receive a majority of the Electoral votes

8. 1876 Popular Vote Samuel Tilden51% R. B. Hayes48% Electoral College Tilden 184 Hayes185 Winner: Hayes

9. 1888 Popular Vote Grover Cleveland48.5 % Benjamin Harrison47.8 % Electoral College Cleveland168 Harrison233 Winner: Harrison

10. 2000 Popular Vote Albert Gore48.7% George W. Bush48.5% Electoral College Gore266 Bush271 Winner: Bush

11. Why? Because we do not pick our President by direct ballot. Technically, we only select electors. These electors form what is called the Electoral College and are the people who officially elect the President.

12. Why was it Created? Belief by those at the Constitutional Convention that thePeople were not knowledgeable enough to select a President. This was a check that gave the states a voice in choosing the President To maintain regional balance

13. What are the drawbacks to the Electoral College? Encourages low voter turnout Diminishes third party influence Person with most popular votes may not win If there is no majority winner in the Electoral College, the election goes to the H.o. R and there is a loss of separation of powers

14. Why low voter turnout? The Electoral College is a winner take all system of deciding who receives a states electoral votes. Consequently, if a person gets 50.1% of the popular vote (in a two man race), he get 100% of the electoral votes. Therefore, many people feel that their vote does not matter and choose to not vote.

15. Third Parties The Electoral College discourages 3 rd parties because a candidate must have a broad based, national platform to have a chance to gain the highest office. Rarely are 3 rd parties financially and politically able to do this.

17. In-Class Activity Look at the electoral map on the previous slide, If you were running for President with limited money and could only focus on a few states, where would you focus your campaign? List in order the sates you would need to win the Presidency

18. Unit Question Is the Electoral College a fair and democratic method of choosing the President? Or is it fair but not democratic? Or vice versa?