SS.7.CG.2.6 and SS.7.CG.3.14 Understanding the Electoral College

What is the primary function of the Electoral College?

• To conduct the national census every 10 years

• To formally elect the President and Vice President of the USA

• To count the popular vote in presidential elections

• To decide on the number of senators each state gets

How many electors are there in total for presidential elections since 1964?

• 270

• 100

• 538

• 435

What is the 'magic number' a candidate needs to win the presidency?

• 100

• 270

• 435

• 538

How is the number of electors for each state determined?

• By the number of senators and representatives in Congress

• By a national vote every 10 years

• By the size of the state's population

• By the outcome of the previous presidential election

Why do presidential candidates focus on winning states like Texas, Florida, and New York?

• Because they have the most electoral votes

• Because they are swing states

• Because they have large populations

• Because they are safe states

Which states are known for having a large number of electoral votes?

• Alaska, Wyoming, the Dakotas

• Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut

• California, Texas, Florida

• North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana

What can cause a candidate to win the popular vote but lose the electoral vote?

• Failing to win enough states with enough electoral votes

• Securing large voter margins in most states

• Losing small states by narrow margins

• Winning with large margins in a few states

Which of the following is a criticism of the Electoral College?

• It gives an unfair advantage to states with large numbers of electoral votes

• It gives an unfair advantage to states with large populations

• It allows for the possibility of a tie in electoral votes

• It requires a national census every 10 years

What are 'safe states'?

• States with a long history of voting for a particular party

• States that have never participated in an election

• States with a history of voting for any party

• States that are guaranteed to win in an election

Which states have been swing states in the past four election cycles?

• Mississippi and Alabama

• Oregon and Idaho

• Ohio and Florida

• California and Texas