Understanding the US Electoral College System

What is the main purpose of the Electoral College?

• To count the total votes in each state

• To provide a training program for future politicians

• To select the president through a group of electors

• To directly elect the president based on popular vote

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Why were electors chosen as a compromise by the founders of the United States?

• To ensure the most popular candidate wins

• To prevent the election of an unsuitable president

• To make the election process faster

• To give more power to smaller states

How many electors are in the Electoral College?

• 100

• 270

• 435

• 538

What is required for a presidential candidate to win?

• Winning the popular vote

• Getting at least 100 electoral votes

• Securing a majority of the electoral votes

• Winning in all the battleground states

What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency?

• 538

• 435

• 100

• 270

Tags

CCSS.5.NBT.A.2

Why can a candidate lose the popular vote but still win the presidency?

• Due to a recount of votes

• By winning the majority of electoral votes

• By winning the popular vote in the largest states

• Through a decision by the Supreme Court

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

How often have candidates won the presidency without winning the popular vote?

• Never

• In every election

• Once

• Twice in the last five elections

What makes a state a 'battleground' or 'swing' state?

• It could reasonably be won by either major party

• It consistently votes for the same party

• It has the most electoral votes

• It has the largest population

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

How many campaign events were held in just six states during the last presidential election?

• Two-thirds

• Half

• One-third

• All of them

Tags

CCSS.2.G.A.3

What is one argument in favor of keeping the Electoral College?

• It delivers decisive results across a vast country

• It ensures a direct democracy

• It simplifies the election process

• It guarantees the popular vote winner becomes president