1. The Presidential Election Process

2. Introduction: The Electoral College
One of the least understood parts of our government, yet it is one of the most important…
From last time we were together…
Why did we choose this method instead of popular vote?
Why not have the Congress do it?

3. Logistics of the Electoral College
Remember – 270
Logistics of the Electoral College
Total available votes = 538
= 538
Electors are determined by the number of Representatives, plus the number of Senators
Minimum number a state can have is 3
Representation is based on population, therefore, electors are based on population.
Where are these 3 electoral votes from?

4. More on the Electoral College
It’s a WINNER-TAKE-ALL
If you get the majority of the popular vote in a state then you get all of the ELECTORAL VOTES for that state.
Remember it takes 270 electoral votes to win

5. Congressional District Method: Exceptions to the winner-take-all…
Maine and Nebraska
2 electors (at-large) go with the popular vote winner
All of the other votes are divided among the Congressional Districts
That is…If Forsyth’s 9th District voted for Candidate A, Candidate A would get “our” 1 electoral vote, regardless of what the rest of the state voted.

6. Electoral College Breakdown
If you were running which states would you focus on?
Why?

7. The all time record

9. 2004 Election (Wave = visit) ($ = money)
Focus on Swing States – by-products of the winner-take-all format

10. Counting the Electoral Votes
The electoral ballots are sent to the President of the Senate
On January 6th they are tallied with a Joint Session of Congress
And the winner is “formally” announced

11. The “What Ifs” of the Electoral College
What if no one gets 270?
Election goes to the House of Representatives (1800 & 1824)
Each State gets one vote – 26 to win it
What if the House vote has not been decided by Jan 20th?
Vice President will preside until the President is determined
What if no one received 270 for Vice Presidency?
Senate will determine the VP and then they will preside until the President is determined

12. Popular-Vote vs. Electoral College Vote
Red or Blue…
Who should be elected?
This happened in 2000

13. Flaws in the Electoral College System
1) Winner of the popular vote may not win the electoral college vote
> This has happened 4 times
2) Electors are not required to vote for “their” candidate
> “Faithless electors” on 11 occasions
3) Election might be decided by the House
> This has happened twice
> Look out for a 3rd party candidate to take a chunk
TEA PARTY???

15. Proposed Changes District Plan – Proportional Plan – Direct Plan –
> Each district within a state would cast their “own” electoral vote
Proportional Plan –
> Percentage of electoral votes for the state based on percentage of popular vote from that state
Direct Plan –
> Popular vote winner, wins the office
National Bonus Plan –
> 102 electoral votes would be awarded automatically to the winner of the popular vote. These votes would be combined with the other electoral votes that the candidate won.

16. Strengths of the Electoral College
It’s a “known” system
In most cases it identifies a winner quickly and certainly
Most of the reforms would have “loop-holes” too

17. 2008 Presidential Election by State
2008 Presidential Election by State
Republican
Democrat

18. 2004 Presidential Election

19. Election of 2000 (Florida)

20. One last thing… A timeline to sum it up
Decision to run – meets 3 qualifications
Electors cast votes, mail to D.C.
Inauguration
National Conventions
Primaries, Caucus, State Conventions
Electoral votes are counted
Election
Debate & Campaign