1. The Electoral College

2. Framers’ Original Plan (13.3)

3. Original Intent
Framers devoted more time to the method of choosing the P than any other issue
Many felt Congress should choose the P
Few felt P should be chosen by popular vote
Framers did not trust the people to make an informed decision
Too many people & too big of an area

4. Original Plan Electors = state # R & S
Electors chosen by state legislatures
Electoral votes opened/counted in joint session of Congress
Candidate w/largest # of votes  President
Candidate w/second largest # of votes  VP

5. Election of 1800
Both Federalists & Democratic-Republicans nominated P/VP
First electoral vote (needed min. 138):
Jefferson: 73
Burr: 73
Adams: 65
Pinckney: 64
Jay: 1
36 more congressional votes before Jefferson won

6. The Electoral College Today (13.5)

7. Electoral College Today
Voters vote for presidential electors, NOT the president
Electors today are basically rubber stamps – they’re supposed vote according to what the state votes

8. Electoral College Today
Electors chosen at the same time every presidential election yr.
Tuesday after the first Monday of November
48/50 states: winner-take-all voting
All state electoral votes go to candidate w/largest popular vote
Electors meet in state capitols at the same time to cast ballots
Monday after the second Wednesday of December

9. Electoral College Today
Votes opened in joint session of Congress
January 6th after the election
If no candidate reaches 270/538 minimum, H of R will vote for P
Happened in 1800 & 1824
By Jan. 20th, if P is not chosen, VP will act as P until choice is made

10. Electoral College – Flaws
Popular vote winner doesn’t always win electoral college
15 Presidents have won not winning the popular vote
Electors are not required to vote based on final popular vote

11. Plans to replace the Electoral College
District Plan
Proportional Plan
Each state has 2 electors
Electors vote according to popular vote in the district
Could lead to even more gerrymandering of districts
Candidate receives proportional # of electoral votes based on his finish in the state
2 candidates win 40% of vote; run-off election decides president
Could force creation of more political parties

12. Plans to replace the Electoral College
Direct Popular Election Plan
National Bonus Plan
People’s votes directly elect the president
Currently most popular plan
Requires change in Constitution
Requires a large % of eligible voters to actually vote
Same system kept in place
Block of 102 votes added to winner of popular vote
If majority (321) is still not reached, run-off election is used