US Government: The Electoral College

The Electoral College

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What is the Electoral College?

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The Electoral College is the body of electors whose job is to elect the President of the United States.

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What is that?

​When the citizens cast their votes during an election, their votes go to a statewide count.

The winning party in each state turns:
- Red (Republican)
- Blue (Democrat)

The winning party claims all of the votes for that state!

To WIN the Presidential Election, a Candidate must win a majority (270) of the votes!

How does a President get elected?

• The number of Electoral College voters each state gets is the same as the number of Congress members they have!

• West Virginia has 4 Electoral College votes!

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Who's in it?

• A safe state is a state that almost always votes for a specific party.

• Example:

  • Texas is a safe state.

  • The Republican Party has only lost the state 1 time in the last 10 elections

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What is a Safe State?

• A Swing State is a state that has no historical pattern of voting one way or the other.

• Example:

  • Florida is a Swing State

  • Florida is one of the most important states to win in the Presidential race!

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What is a Swing State?