1. Logistics of the Electoral College
Remember – 270
Logistics of the Electoral College
Total available votes = 538
= 538
Electors are determined by the number of Representatives, plus the number of Senators
Minimum number a state can have is 3
Representation is based on population, therefore, electors are based on population.
Where are these 3 electoral votes from?

2. More on the Electoral College
It’s a WINNER-TAKE-ALL
If you get the majority of the popular vote then you get all of the ELECTORAL VOTES for that state.
Remember it takes 270 electoral votes to win

3. Choosing Electors
Electors are chosen on the same day in every state: the Tuesday after the first Monday in November…what’s significant about this date?
When voters go to the poles in November, they are voting for an elector NOT the President. (November 4, 2008)
Ideally, this elector will vote for their choice in January…NOT a requirement

4. Electoral College Breakdown
If you were running which states would you focus on?
Why?

5. Counting the Electoral Votes
These electors are chosen by voters
These electors then report to the state capital to cast their 2 votes
When? – Monday after the second Wednesday in December
Who are the 2 ballots for?
> This is basically a formality –
we actually know the night of the election who won the election

6. Counting the Electoral Votes
The electoral ballots are sent to the President of the Senate
On January 6th they are tallied with a Joint Session of Congress
And the winner is “formally” announced

7. Presidential Succession
Original Wording
“power and duties” of the office (not the actual office were to go to the Vice Pres.)
25th Amendment
In case of removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become president.

8. Presidential Succession
25th
Presidential Succession
Before the 25th Amendment (in 1967) the Vice President took over anyway.
John Tyler set this precedent when W.H. Harrison died after being in office only one month.
So what if something happens to the Vice President too????

9. We’ve got it covered… Presidential Succession Act of 1947
18 positions are outlined
Vice President
Speaker of the House
Pro Tempore of the Senate
Sec. of State
Sec. of Treasury
Sec. of Defense
Attorney General
Sec. of Interior
Sec. of Agriculture
Sec. of Commerce
Sec. of Labor
Sec. of Health and Human Services
Sec. of HUD
Sec. of Transportation
Sec. of Energy
Sec. of Education
Sec. of Veterans Affairs
Sec. of Homeland Security