3.14 Understanding the Electoral College

What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

• To elect the president through a popular vote

• To balance the interests of large and small states in presidential elections

• To count the votes in Congress

• To elect the vice president only

How many electors does each state have in the Electoral College?

• A fixed number of 10 for every state

• Equal to the number of its counties

• Equal to the number of its cities

• Equal to the number of Senators and Representatives for that state

What did the 12th Amendment change about the Electoral College?

• It established separate electoral votes for President and Vice President

• It abolished the Electoral College

• It made the popular vote the method for electing the president

• It increased the number of electors for each state

What happens if a candidate wins the popular vote in a state?

• They become the governor of that state

• They receive all of that state's electoral votes

• They must win the popular vote in all states

• They automatically win the presidency

How is the president officially elected?

• Through a national popular vote

• By a vote in the Senate

• By a decision of the Supreme Court

• By receiving a majority of electoral votes

What was a complication before the 12th Amendment?

• The runner-up became vice president

• The president was chosen by the Senate

• There were too many candidates

• Electors could only vote for candidates from their state

What ensures that both the interests of individual states and the overall will of the nation are taken into account?

• The Electoral College

• The House of Representatives' vote

• The popular vote

• The Senate's decision

What is the minimum number of electors a state can have?

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

Who are citizens actually voting for in a presidential election?

• The vice president

• The president directly

• A slate of electors pledged to support their candidate

• Members of Congress

What role does Congress play in the Electoral College process?

• Selecting the electors

• Conducting the national popular vote

• Counting the electoral votes in a joint session

• Nominating presidential candidates