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The Electoral College
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Background… Why do we have it?
How many times has the outcome of the electoral college differed from that of the popular vote? What were other reasons for disputed elections?
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The Constitution; compromise bet. Feds and Anti-Feds
3 Times: 1876, 1888, 2000 (This happens when candidates when lots of small states with fewer voters but electoral votes that “count” for more. Eg: 3 electoral votes in Montana v. 3 in California) : Confusion over double-balloting 1824: No candidate got a majority of votes 1960: Disputed in Illinois-Nixon conceded
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How the electoral college works..
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Against the possibility of electing a minority president
the risk of so-called "faithless" Electors, the possible role of the Electoral College in depressing voter turnout, and its failure to accurately reflect the national popular will.
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For contributes to the cohesiveness of the country by requiring a distribution of popular support enhances the status of minority interests, contributes to the political stability of the nation by encouraging a two party system maintains a federal system of government and representation (candidates must appeal to several different state interests)
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States Make Voting Laws
Variations Absentee (Oregon) Early Voting (Nevada) Disputed Elections….2000 was policies determined at state level.
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So you want direct election…
France, Finland & Russia are only democracies with direct election More voter fraud likely More time to get results->instability
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Who counts?
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What does this reveal?
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There are a total of 538 electoral votes
(the District of Columbia is not a state but is given 3 electoral votes)
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48 out of the 50 states have a “winner takes all” method
If you get the most votes in that state you get ALL of their electoral college votes
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Total Votes in 2000 Election:
Bush 50,461,092 total votes (47.9%) 271 Electoral Votes Gore 50,994,086 total votes (48.4%) 266 Electoral Votes Nader 2,882,728 total votes (2.7%) 0 Electoral College Votes
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How can the winner lose?
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2000 Electoral College
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