1. The Electoral College Lecture 6. 3

2.  Rationale of Constitutional Convention 1. Poor communication in new nation -common ppl lack essential info 2. Desire to have “best” ppl select president -common ppl swayed by demagogues 3. Compromise b/n a direct election and Congress selecting the President

3. B. Allotment of electoral votes to states 1. Electoral votes=members in Congress 2. Minimum number is 3 3. Washington D.C. has 3 (which amendment?) 4. Total of 538 votes 5. California has the highest number at 55 6. Movement from “Rust Belt” to “Sun Belt”

5. C. Each party selects “loyal electors” prior to election

6. D. Winning Electoral Votes 1. Candidate with most popular votes in a state wins all the electoral votes in that state -only a plurality is needed -Maine and Nebraska split their votes, depending on districts 2. Concentration of campaigning in: a. large, competitive states b. close swing states

7. E. Winning Election 1. Majority of electoral votes needed to win(270) 2. If no candidate has the majority (1800 & 1824)(1800 1824 a. HOR selects President from top 3 candidates -each state has one vote b. Senate selects VP from top 2

8. F. Criticisms 1. May have a President with less popular votes (1824, 1876, 1888,2000) 2. “Faithless electors” -most states have no laws restricting electors 3. Small states proportionately overrepresented 4. Inhibits the development of third parties

9. G. Alternatives 1. Direct election 2. District system ( Win congressional district vote, win electoral votes from that district) 3. Proportional system for states -receive same percentage as popular votes 4. Keep electoral votes but abolish electors

10. Small States vs. Large States Wyoming @ 582,658 3 electoral votes 1 vote per 194,219 California @ 38.33 million 55 electoral votes 1 vote per 696,909 Is this fair to voters in California?