Electoral College

How is the U.S. President actually elected?

The Electoral

College

What Do You Think???

What do you know (or think you
know) about how a candidate is

elected President or Vice President of

the United States?

Video Clip:

https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/preside

ntial-elections/videos/the-electoral-college

What is the Electoral College?

• While the American people vote to elect a

president, the Electoral College ultimately makes
the final decision.

• Group of 538 people, called electors.

− The number of electors equals the number of

representatives and senators in Congress, plus 3
electoral votes for Washington, D.C.

• They cast the official electoral votes to elect the

president and vice president.

Multiple Choice

There are this many members of the electoral college

• 435

• 3

• 538

• 100

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the electoral college is a group of ​

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that actually choose the ​

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electors

president

men

Senators

Multiple Choice

Washington DC has _____votes in the electoral college

• 3

• 5

• 7

• 9

Popular Votes vs. Electoral Votes

• Popular Votes: The total sum of all votes cast by

the American people- count in the millions.

• Electoral Votes: The votes cast by the members of

the Electoral College- 538 total
− These votes ultimately decide the election- must

secure 270 to win!

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​

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: The total sum of all votes cast by the American people- count in the millions.

​

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: The votes cast by the members of the Electoral College- 538 totalThese votes ultimately decide the election- must secure 270 to win!

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Popular Votes

Electoral Votes

election votes

Multiple Choice

How many votes do you need in the electoral college

• 538

• 270

• 50

• 435

Multiple Choice

You can get more votes but still lose the election

• true

• false

History of the Electoral College

• The Framers wrote the Electoral College into the

Constitution.
− They expected electors to use their own judgment

when choosing the president.

− Designed as a buffer to prevent the election of a

poorly qualified president.

• BUT TODAY…

− Electors mostly just echo whatever the popular vote

was in their state.

− Because of this, many question if the institution is still

needed.

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The ​

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wrote the ​

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into the Constitution.

They expected electors to use their own judgment when choosing the president. 

Designed as a ​

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to prevent the election of a ​

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qualified president. 

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Framers

Electoral College

buffer

poorly

well

constitution

Dropdown

BUT TODAY…

Electors mostly just ​

Select answer

whatever the ​

Select answer

was in their state. 

Because of this, many ​

Select answer

if the institution is still needed.

Multiple Choice

When Americans vote for president--it's the popular vote that matters

• true

• false

Who Are the Electors?

• They’re nominated by each

party and chosen on election
night based on the popular
vote.

• When people vote, they will

usually just see the names of
the presidential and vice
presidential candidates, but
they are actually choosing a
group of electors from their
state.

Electors

Dropdown

Who are the electors?

They’re ​

Select answer

by each party and chosen on election night based on the​

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vote. 

When people vote, they will usually just see the names of the presidential and vice presidential candidates, but they are actually choosing a ​

Select answer

from their state.

Voting

• The U.S. election occurs in November and the

popular vote is tallied ASAP in each state.

• Typically a winner is declared that night BUT it’s not

official until the Electoral College votes in
December.

• Each state has a different number of electoral

votes based on their population, but no less than 3.
− This ensures small states still have a voice.

Dropdown

The U.S. election occurs in ​

Select answer

and the popular vote is tallied ASAP in each state. 

Typically a winner is declared that night BUT it’s not ​

Select answer

until the Electoral College votes in ​

Select answer

.

Each state has a different number of electoral votes based on their population, but no less than​

Select answer

.

This ensures small states still have a ​

Select answer

Open Ended

Give a state you think would have a lot of electors?

Voting

• Which states do you think have

the most votes?

• California, Texas, New York,

Florida, etc.

• Which states do you think have

the least?

• Montana, North and South

Dakota, Rhode Island, etc.

2016 Electoral College Map

The map changes every 10 years as the census is

taken and the U.S. population shifts.

The States

• Certain states have pretty solid Republican or

Democratic leanings.
− Which states do you think are more solidly

Republican?

− Which states do you think are more solidly

Democratic?

• Those states that could go either way are called

swing states.
− Candidates tend to focus their time and attention

there.

− Swing State Video Clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFmIbrPWJ1g

Open Ended

• Certain states have pretty solid Republican or Democratic leanings. 

  • Which states do you think are more solidly Republican? 

Open Ended

• Which states do you think are more solidly Democratic?

Open Ended

in your own words, what is a swing state?

Winning the Election

• Winner-take-all system: The candidate who wins

the majority in each state wins ALL of that state’s
electoral votes.
− Even if a candidate only wins 51% of California’s

popular vote, they will still receive ALL 55 electoral
votes.

− Exceptions: Maine and Nebraska

• A candidate must receive 270 electoral votes to

win!

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​

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: The candidate who wins the ​

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in each state wins ​

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of that state’s electoral votes.

Even if a candidate only wins ​

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of California’s popular vote, they will still receive ALL 55 ​

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. Exceptions: Maine and Nebraska

A candidate must receive 270 electoral votes to win!

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Winner-take-all system

majority

ALL

51%

electoral votes

some

none

Casting the Electoral Votes

• Electors meet at their state capitals to vote in

December.

• Votes are then sent to Washington, D.C., where

they are read aloud before a joint session of
Congress in January.

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Electors meet at their state ​

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to vote in ​

Select answer

. 

​

Select answer

are then sent to ​

Select answer

., where they are read aloud before a joint session of Congress in ​

Select answer

. 

Do Electors Have to Vote for the
Candidate They Pledged to Support?

• Technically, no.

• There are no laws that require

they fulfill their pledge, however,
many states will fine “faithless”
electors.

• There were 7 “faithless” electors

in 2016.

What Happens if No One
Receives 270 Votes?

• The House of Representatives chooses from

among the top 3 candidates for president.
− Has happened twice

• The Senate has the power to choose the vice

president.

Dropdown

what happens if no one receives 270 votes?

The ​

Select answer

chooses from among the top ​

Select answer

candidates for ​

Select answer

.

Has happened twice

The ​

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has the power to choose the ​

Select answer

.

Multiple Choice

This has actually happened

• never

• 1 time

• twice

• six times

Issues With the Electoral College

• The candidate who wins the electoral vote may not

win the popular vote- has happened several times,
including the 2016 election!

Donald Trump

Electoral Votes: 304

Popular Votes: 62,985,106

Hillary Clinton

Electoral Votes: 227

Popular Votes: 65,853,625

*7 Faithless Electors

Dropdown

The candidate who wins the ​

Select answer

​

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win the ​

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- has happened several times, including the ​

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election!

Issues With the Electoral College

• Its original purpose doesn’t apply

today- if the Electoral College is
just a “rubber stamp” of approval,
many question why we still have it.

• Certain states receive more attention due to their

status as large states or swing states.

• If you live in a solid state, but align with the

opposite party, you feel like your voice isn’t heard.
(i.e. A Republican in New York)

Multiple Select

Choose all that apply--which of the following are issues with the electoral college

• Its original purpose doesn’t apply today- if the Electoral College is just a “rubber stamp” of approval, many question why we still have it.

• • Certain states receive more attention due to their status as large states or swing states.

• • If you live in a solid state, but align with the opposite party, you feel like your voice isn’t heard. (i.e. A Republican in New York)

• Occasionally, the candidate with more votes, still losers--like in 2016.

• It makes small states too important

Why Does the U.S. Still Have
the Electoral College?

• It’s written into the Constitution and

passing an amendment is difficult.

• Many still argue its advantages:

− Small states have a greater voice with the Electoral

College- guaranteed 3 electoral votes.

− Allows for an efficient counting of the votes- quick

results on election night.

− It’s a familiar system. Reform may be confusing.

Multiple Select

• Check all that apply---so Why do we still have the electoral college?

• 
  

• • It’s written into the Constitution

• passing an amendment to change it would be hard

• • Small states have a greater voice with the Electoral College- guaranteed 3 electoral votes.

• • Allows for an efficient counting of the votes- quick results on election night.

• everyone agrees it's for the best

What Do You Think???

Take a minute to consider what you

just learned.

Do you think the Electoral College is
still worth having? Fair? Do you think
we should keep the system? Why or

why not?

Open Ended

Take a minute to consider what you just learned. 

Do you think the Electoral College is still worth having? Fair? Do you think we should keep the system? Why or why not?

For full credit--consider this and type an answer that gives at least two reasons and explanations for your opinion.

Group Activity

• In a group, read through the handout, “Electoral

College Reform Plans” and do the following:
− 1. Briefly summarize each plan.
− 2. Write down at least one pro and one con for

each plan.

− 3. After you have read through each option, rank

them from 1-5 (including the current electoral
college).

• After you are done, send one group member to

each poster around the room and write your
group’s ranking and one reason for your decision.