Electoral College

Electoral College

A plurality of voters in each state elect a group of electors equal to that state's representation in Congress. The candidate that gets plurality of the votes in a state gets all of that states' electoral votes. The electors meet in their state capital in December. The electors cast two ballots -> one for president and one for vice president. Cannot vote for two people from their same state. Ballots sent to President of the Senate (Vice President) to be counted Jan. 6.

If there is no winner, the House voting AS STATE elects the president from the top 3 vote getters, Senate voting individually, elects the vice president from the top 2. The Electoral is criticized as being undemocratic and unfair.

Reasons:

1. Faithless electors

2. Because a person who did not receive a majority of the popular votes can be elected due to winner take all electoral votes rule

3. Illegal electors

   Electoral College is important bc it prevents a run-off election.

Voter Participation

The 3 most determining/important factors whether or not a person will vote are age, education, and income. Important secondary factor are the person's interest in politics and intensity of party identification.

Plurality Winners

Allowed in general elections

Ranking Voting

Voters rank the candidates in order of preference