2. The Constitution’s Role
The framers of the Constitution debated how the President should be elected
Options included:
Congressional selection – but then the people would have no say in the country’s leader
Direct popular election – but the framers feared who the people might select
The electoral college was a compromise combining features of both
It also reflects federalism by ensuring states have a role in selecting the president.

3. How the Electoral College Works
Each state is worth “points” based on their representation in Congress
Every 10 years the US Census is taken to determine how many representatives each state will have in the House of Representatives
This number helps determine the number of electors for each state
House of Reps + Senate = number of Electoral Votes

4. Who are the Electors? Appointed by each state legislature
Electors must be loyal political party members
Any eligible voter can be an elector – including you!
Electors may not hold any other office, do not get paid & have other jobs
Electors names appear on the ballot under the candidate they will vote for
Note: picture is not of an elector 

5. Electoral Votes for Each State

6. How does the election work?
There are 538 total electors
Whoever wins the popular vote in each state gets ALL of that state’s electoral votes
To win the presidency, a candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes
If no candidate reaches 270 then the House of Representatives votes to decide the President

7. Issues With the Electoral College
Possible to win the popular vote but lose the electoral college vote
Neither Constitution nor federal law requires electors to vote according to state popular vote
Several “swing states” get almost all the attention in an election year

8. These maps show the amount of attention given to each state by the Bush & Kerry campaigns during the final five weeks of the 2004 election.
At the top, each waving hand represents a visit from a presidential or vice presidential candidate during the final five weeks.
At the bottom, each dollar sign represents $1 million spent on TV advertising by the campaigns during the same time period.

9. Does your vote count? The Electoral College explained
Benefits of the Electoral College
Drawbacks to the Electoral College
Watch the video here then take notes on the benefits & drawbacks on the electoral college:

10. Presidents who didn’t win the Popular Vote
1824: John Quincy Adams
1876: Rutherford B. Hayes
1888: Benjamin Harrison
2000: George W. Bush
2016: Donald Trump