1. Good Afternoon and Happy Monday! Please grab your book and take a seat.

2. 12/18 Do Now: Write the answers on your half-sheet
12/18 Do Now: Write the answers on your half-sheet. Start every answer on a new line.
1. Hillary Clinton won more votes during the 2016 election, but she still lost? How is this possible? Do you think this is a fair system?
2. Do you remember where you were when you found out that Donald Trump won the election? How did the people you live with react?
3. Do you really think we needed that 2 hour early dismissal Friday? Why or why not?

3. Early Announcements Entrance Procedure Check
Mindfulness of Your Actions!
Grades End Tuesday
Coach Class Tomorrow
Exam Thursday

4. How We Really Elect Our President
Introduction to the Electoral College

5. 1. What You’re Really Voting For
Technically, you are not voting for Barack Obama or John McCain
You are voting for an ELECTOR whose vote will be cast for whatever candidate gets the most votes in your state (winner take all system)

6. 2. Electoral College Compromise
Set up in 1787 as another deal between large states and small states
Similar to Congress, which has one chamber based on equality and one based on population

7. Electoral College Definition
A group of people from each state who meet in December after an election & vote for President.

8. Keeps things equal between small and large states

9. 3. How Electors Are Chosen
Each state gets an elector for every member of Congress
Maryland
2 Senators
8 Representatives
TOTAL: 10 Electors

10. 4. Election Scenario - MD’s 10 Electors
Democrat = 4 million votes
Republican = 2.5 million votes
How many electors does the Republican get?
How many electors does the Democrat get?

11. Election Scenario - MD’s 10 Electors
Democrat = 4 million votes
Republican = 2.5 million votes
How many electors does the Republican get?
0 Electors
How many electors does the Democrat get?
10 Electors

12. 5. Election Scenario - MD’s 10 Electors
Democrat = 3.26 million votes
Republican = 3.24 million votes
How many electors does the Republican get?
How many electors does the Democrat get?

13. Election Scenario - MD’s 10 Electors
Democrat = 3.26 million votes
Republican = 3.24 million votes
How many electors does the Republican get?
0 Electors
How many electors does the Democrat get?
10 Electors

14. 6. Winner Take All System If you lose by 1 vote, you lose every elector in the state

15. 3 State Scenario, Electoral College Style
Remember, Democrats won 10 Electors from Maryland

16. 7. Election Scenario - NC’s 15 Electors
Democrat = 6 million votes
Republican = 3 million votes
How many electors does the Republican get?
How many electors does the Democrat get?

17. Election Scenario - NC’s 15 Electors
Democrat = 6 million votes
Republican = 3 million votes
How many electors does the Republican get?
0 Electors
How many electors does the Democrat get?
15 Electors

18. 8. Election Scenario - FL’s 27 Electors
Democrat = 9 million votes
Republican = 9.5 million votes
How many electors does the Republican get?
How many electors does the Democrat get?

19. Election Scenario - FL’s 27 Electors
Democrat = 9 million votes
Republican = 9.5 million votes
How many electors does the Republican get?
27 Electors
How many electors does the Democrat get?
0 Electors

20. 9. Who Won The Election? Democrat Republican Popular vote
MD= 4 million
NC= 6 million
FL= 9 million
TOTAL= 19 million
MD= 2.5 million
NC= 3 million
-FL= 9.5 million
TOTAL= 15 million
Electoral Vote
MD= 10 electors
NC= 15 electors
FL= 0 electors
TOTAL= 25 electors
- MD= 0 electors
- NC= 0 electors
FL= 27 electors
TOTAL= 27 electors

21. Who Won The Election? Democrat Republican Popular vote Electoral Vote
MD= 4 million
NC= 6 million
FL= 9 million
TOTAL= 19 million
MD= 2.5 million
NC= 3 million
-FL= 9.5 million
TOTAL= 15 million
Electoral Vote
MD= 10 electors
NC= 15 electors
FL= 0 electors
TOTAL= 25 electors
- MD= 0 electors
- NC= 0 electors
FL= 27 electors
TOTAL= 27 electors

22. REPUBLICANS 10 Who Won The Election?
Because they won the most electors
The state of Florida is much larger in population, and therefore has more electors

23. Republicans won because…
Maryland MD
North Carolina NC
Florida FL
6.5 million
10 electors
9 million
15 electors
18.5 million
27 electors
DEMOCRATS WON
REPUBLICANS WON

24. Candidates must receive 270 to win
= The Magic Number
435 Representatives
100 Senators
3 for DC
TOTAL = 538 Electors
Candidates must receive 270 to win
= simple majority

25. 270 = The Magic Number

26. 13. State by State Strategy Obviously, there are certain states that are more important than others, so... Candidates focus their TIME, ENERGY, and MONEY on winning them

27. 13. Red States/Blue States
Red states traditionally vote Republican
Examples:
Alabama
Georgia
Utah
Blue states traditionally vote Democratic
Maryland
California
New York
Swing states go either way and usually decide the election
Ohio
Florida
Iowa

28. 2008 Electoral Map

29. 14. Swing State Could go either way Examples: Ohio Pennsylvania
Florida

30. Swing states are in light brown

31. Check this map out; what is going on?

32. But what about a tie?
What if both candidates for presidents get 269 votes somehow?
THEN
The House of Representatives votes on the President.
The Senate votes for Vice President.
Must have more than 1/2 of the votes.

33. Why the Electoral College?
When the founding fathers were deciding how to elect the President they had many ideas.
Congress votes
This was voted down because they were scared of corrupt (bad) congressmen
State legislatures vote
This was voted down because it would have taken power away from the federal government)
Direct popular vote (the people would decide)
This was voted down because they felt the people would pick people they knew and not research the candidates nor make informed decisions.

34. Why the Electoral College?
They finally settled on the Electoral College
A group of informed citizens would elect the president indirectly.
The Electors are supposed to be the most informed and knowledgeable people vote on the will of their state.
Requirements: US Citizens & Cannot be members of Congress or a federal employee
Remember, they do not have to follow
their state’s popular vote… they can vote
of their own opinion.

36. and independent activity.
Independent Practice
Using your intellect along with your notes, complete the independent practice worksheet.
Use the Electoral Map Handout as your guide. Dark Grey means Blue (Democrat). Light Grey means Red (Republican).
Answer questions on the electoral maps given to you.
This is always a silent
and independent activity.

37. Map #1 – 2000 Electoral Map DEMOCRAT = 266. AL GORE REPUBLICAN = 271
Map #1 – 2000 Electoral Map DEMOCRAT = AL GORE REPUBLICAN = 271 GEORGE W. BUSH

38. Map #2 – 2008 Electoral Map DEMOCRAT = 365
Map #2 – 2008 Electoral Map  DEMOCRAT = BARACK OBAMA REPUBLICAN = 173 JOHN MCCAIN

39. 2012 Electoral Map

40. Quick /15
How do we elect the president in our nation? Do you think this is a good system? Why or why not?