1. A magnificent anachronism The Electoral College

2. Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives Discuss the Electoral College and the strategy of presidential campaigns

3. Why all The Anger- The 2000 Election of Course The Media called the election too soon The Supreme Court intervened The Popular vote winner did not win the Presidency

4. A brief period of anger HRC says her first act as Senator would be to reform it And O.J. said he would spend all of his time trying to find the real killerreal killer Institutional reform trumps anger

5. 2004 a Close Call Ohio was very close A small Number of People could have swung the election http://uselectionatlas.org/USPRESIDENT/GENERAL/pe2004whatif.html

6. But problems remain Obama Saves the electoral college!

7. Problems of the Electoral College Faithless electors  http://archive.fairvote.org/e_college/faithless.htm http://archive.fairvote.org/e_college/faithless.htm Problem of the Unit Rule

8. Problems of the Electoral College Potential for Gridlock Over-representation of small states Minor parties are always hurt, everywhere, all the time

9. Problems of the Electoral College Potential for Minority-Vote winner (2000, 1996, 1992, 1968, 1960) Potential for a wrong winner

10. http://www.entertonement.com/clips/wyscptdhjq--Dune-Sian-Phillips-The-Reverend-Mother-Gaius-Helen-Mohiam-Kyle- MacLachlan-Tried-And-Failed-Tried-and-Died Attempts at Reform

11. 1950 1969 1979

12. Some States have made changes Article II, Section I allows the states to decide how they choose their electors Maine and Nebraska use a different method (Congressional District Winner + overall winner)

13. Potential Reforms! The Proportional Plan The District Plan The Direct Plan State Compact-National Popular Vote

14. The Proportional Plan This plan divides Electoral votes based on the popular vote totals from each state. Advantages

15. The District Plan A state’s Electoral Vote is equal to the number of Senators (2) plus the number of Representatives which varies by state. Advantages

16. The Direct Plan The other plans keep the Electoral College intact, this plan deems the NATIONWIDE popular vote winner as the president. Advantages

17. DIFFERENT ELECTIONS UNDER EACH SCENARIO

18. The Election of 1960 WinnerKennedyNixonOther Present PlanKennedy Wins30321915 Proportional PlanNo Winner264.8263.57.7 District PlanNixon Wins24527814 Direct PlanNixon Wins49.4649.540.001

19. The Election of 1968 WinnerNixonHumphreyWallace Present PlanNixon Wins30119146 Proportional PlanNo Winner231.5225.478.8 District PlanNixon Wins28919257 Direct PlanNixon Wins43.442.713.5

20. The Election of 1976 WinnerCarterFordOther Present PlanCarter Wins2972401 Proportional PlanNo Winner269.525810.5 District PlanNo Winner269 Direct PlanCarter Wins50.1481.9

21. The Election of 1992 WinnerClintonBushPerot Present PlanClinton Wins3701680 Proportional PlanNo Winner232.1203.7102.2 District PlanClinton Wins326212 Direct PlanClinton Wins43.0137.4518.91

22. The Election of 2000 WinnerBushGoreOther Present PlanBush Wins2862511 Proportional PlanNo Winner260.8259.917.4 District PlanBush Wins288250 Direct PlanGore Wins47.948.41

23. The Election of 2004 WinnerBushKerryOther Present PlanBush Wins2862511 Proportional PlanBush Wins2752584.5 District PlanBush Wins317221 Direct PlanBush Wins50.748.31

24. Disadvantages of Each

25. The Direct Plan Under this plan, 2 elections would have vastly different results 1960- Nixon defeats Kennedy 2000- Gore Defeats Bush Recounts, Runoffs, Fraud

26. The Proportional Plan This is the most unsteady 1960, 1968, 1976,1992, 1996, 2000 Do we want George Wallace to determine our president? Colorado failed to Pass and Amendment on this

27. The District Plan This would increase the amount of Gerrymandering beyond its current state. Changes several Elections No major state has tried it

28. State Compact Working its Way through the states  http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/ http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/ Electors would be required to vote for the popular vote winner The Matter of the Constitution

29. WILL IT CHANGE?

30. The Electoral College Get Used to it What Is Necessary for Change Institutional Difficulties

31. Why No Change?- Some Groups love it! The Parties Small States Big States Battleground states

32. Advantages of the System A Proven Track Record Faithless electors are more fun than anything else The Evil Best Known is the Most Tolerable

33. Advantages of the E.C. Minority Groups Presidents Federalism

34. The 2008 Election The Obama victory preserved the Electoral College Absolutely no question about legitimacy

35. The Fear of Unanticipated Consequences