1.
Electing the
President

2. At the National Convention
First 2 Days:
Keynote address (define) given
Party’s platform (define) drawn up
Rousing speeches
Last 2 Days:
More speeches
Delegates vote for Pres & VP candidates
Pres candidate makes his acceptance speech

3. Nat'l Convention Questions
Which city has held the most nat’l conventions? When has Houston hosted?
At the nat’l convention, about how many ballots does it take to result in a choice of a candidate?
one B. five
two D. ten

4. Party platforms are regularly criticized for being too
detailed. B. vague.
regional. D. narrow.
Historically, which group has produced the most presidential candidates?
generals B. representatives
senators D. governors
Which of the following groups has never had a member nominated to the ticket of a major party?
women B. Catholics
African Americans D. divorced men

5. The Electoral College
Electoral college – the body that makes the official selection of the president (538 electors total)
Each State has as many electors as it has senators and seats in the House (2 + reps = electors)
Today, each State’s pres electors are chosen by direct popular vote (you vote for them when you vote for your candidate for pres)

6. Defects in the
Electoral College
System

7. Winner of the popular vote does NOT always win the presidency (1824, 1876, 1888, 2000)
Winning candidate customarily receives ALL that State’s electoral votes (whether a large or small victory)

8. Obama 365 electoral votes (67.8%) 69,456,897 popular votes (52.9%)
                                                                                                                                                      
Obama 365 electoral votes (67.8%) 69,456,897 popular votes (52.9%)
McCain 173 electoral votes (32.2%) 59,934,814 popular votes (45.7%)

9. Nothing requires electors to vote for the candidate the popular vote favors
Expected to vote for the candidate who carries the state, but some have “broken their pledges” & voted for another candidate (9 times)

10. Possibility the contest will be decided in the House (only twice)
Need a MAJORITY (1 more than ½) of electoral votes to win the presidency (currently 270 votes)
Strong 3rd party candidate can prevent a major party from winning that majority

11. Winner of the election is known quickly & certainly
Strengths
Tradition – it’s a known process (new plans may have problems we don’t know about)
Winner of the election is known quickly & certainly