Electoral College

How many total electoral votes are there?

• 270

• 435

• 538

• 600

Answer explanation

There are a total of 538 electoral votes in the U.S. Electoral College, which includes 435 from the House of Representatives, 100 from the Senate, and 3 from Washington D.C. The correct answer is 538.

How many electoral votes must a candidate receive to win the presidential election?

• 270

• 300

• 538

• 100

Answer explanation

A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidential election, as there are a total of 538 electoral votes. This majority ensures that the candidate has the support of a significant portion of the electorate.

What determines the number of electoral votes each state has?

• The state's population

• The state's area

• The state's climate

• The state's governor

Answer explanation

The number of electoral votes each state has is determined by its population, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. States with larger populations receive more electoral votes, reflecting their representation in Congress.

Why was the Electoral College formed?

• To allow Congress to select the president

• To give more power to the states

• To ensure everyday citizens could vote directly

• To prevent factions from influencing the presidency

Answer explanation

The Electoral College was formed to prevent factions from influencing the presidency, ensuring a more balanced selection process rather than allowing direct popular vote, which could lead to mob rule.

How do most states allocate their electoral votes?

• By splitting votes among candidates

• By a "winner-take-all" system

• By allowing Congress to decide

• By a lottery system

Answer explanation

Most states use a "winner-take-all" system, where the candidate receiving the majority of votes in that state gets all of its electoral votes. This method simplifies the allocation process and encourages a focus on winning states.

What happens if no presidential candidate receives 270 electoral votes?

• The Senate decides the president

• The Supreme Court decides the president

• The House of Representatives decides the president

• The Vice President becomes president

Answer explanation

If no presidential candidate receives 270 electoral votes, the House of Representatives decides the president. Each state delegation casts one vote for one of the top three candidates.

What is the main reason the Founders did not trust everyday citizens to elect the president directly?

• They believed citizens were too informed

• They feared factions and lack of information

• They wanted to give more power to Congress

• They thought citizens would vote too quickly

Answer explanation

The Founders feared that everyday citizens might lack the necessary information to make informed decisions and could be influenced by factions, leading to poor choices in electing the president.

What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

• To allow direct election of the president

• To balance power between large and small states

• To ensure Congress selects the president

• To give more power to the judiciary

Answer explanation

The Electoral College was established to balance power between large and small states, ensuring that smaller states have a proportionate influence in presidential elections, rather than allowing larger states to dominate the process.

What system do Maine and Nebraska use for electoral votes?

• Winner-take-all

• Proportional representation

• Congressional district system

• Popular vote system

Answer explanation

Maine and Nebraska use the Congressional district system for electoral votes, meaning they allocate their electoral votes based on the winner in each congressional district, rather than a winner-take-all approach.

How many times has the presidency been awarded to a candidate who did not win the national popular vote?

• Three times

• Five times

• Seven times

• Ten times

Answer explanation

The presidency has been awarded to a candidate who did not win the national popular vote five times: John Quincy Adams (1824), Rutherford B. Hayes (1876), Benjamin Harrison (1888), George W. Bush (2000), and Donald Trump (2016).