1. Executive Branch (2) Selecting the President

2. How our President is elected NOT by popular vote By the Electoral College

3. How the Electoral College works If you win the popular vote in a state, you get ALL its electoral votes.

4. How many electoral votes does a state get? # of Representatives + Senators Iowa has 4 Representatives and 2 Senators = 6 Electors Every state gets at least 3 The system gives small states an advantage

5. What if neither candidate gets a majority of electoral votes? House of Representatives votes The Election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson (running for President) and Aaron Burr (running for VP) tied in the Electoral College. Amendment 12 says now the Prez and VP have to be voted for separately. The election of 1824 was also decided be the House.

6. The EC: not a perfect system Some Weaknesses Winner-takes-all is unfair (other candidate could have more popular vote) 3 rd party candidates can prevent a majority (can lead to bargaining) Election by House has flaws Some Possible Reforms A candidate could get the same % of electoral votes as he won popular votes in a state Dump the EC and vote directly

7. Nomination The process of choosing a candidate to represent the party It’s a looooong process—there are already people coming to Iowa because they want to be the candidate fo r their party in 2016.

8. Nominating Process Local caucus(es) State primaries National Conventions (R & D) Campaign Presidential Eleciton January-June July- August August - November November Iowa has the first caucuses. New Hampshire has the first primary.

9. Inauguration Day January 20 The day the President takes the oath of office. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court administers the oath. Congress and the nation are witnesses.