1. The Electoral College
The Race to 270

2. From the Beginning…. Introduced by Hamilton Described in Article II
The Framers created the electoral college to safeguard the presidency from direct popular election
Introduced by Hamilton
Described in Article II
Consider lack of education, technology, etc.
Each state has as many electoral votes as its combined total of representatives and senators

3. Electoral College
Electors were originally chosen by the state legislators.
Today, they are selected by the parties.
Although the Framers expected electors to be independent, they are now expected to vote for their party’s candidates for president and vice-president
“The electors of President and Vice President of each State shall meet and give their votes on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December”
Renegade electors?

4. Winner-Take-All
Winner-take- all system: A candidate who gets the most votes (plurality of votes) wins all of a state’s electoral votes (except, Maine and Nebraska)
Presidential candidate who receives the most votes wins all of a state’s electoral votes
Takes 270 out of 538 to win
Candidates devote a disproportionate amount of time and resources to closely contested states, swing states, and competitive states
The winner-take-all system severely restricts the prospects of third-party candidates

5. Reasons Why the Electoral College Has not Been Abolished…
It would require a constitutional amendment
The electoral college collectively benefits the small states that are guaranteed at least 3 electoral votes
The electoral college benefits racial minorities and interest groups located in key states (i.e. Cuban Americans in Florida)
History/ tradition
Helps to ensure a majority of electoral votes are earned by one candidate

6. Electoral College Reforms
There is no consensus on how to reform the Electoral College
Most popular Reform Idea: direct election of the president
Other possible reforms: district plan (see ME and NE)
Supposed to be a “rubber stamp” but popular vote winner CAN lose the electoral college (Bush v. Gore, Florida, Hanging Chad)