Presidents are elected not by direct popular vote but by 538 members of the Electoral College." - Thomas E. Mann
The electoral college is a prominent and necessary process when regarding elections. It gives smaller states with fewer citizens equal opportunities for change and a chance to make an impact in the election. Although some will argue that it evens the playing field between larger and smaller states, others find it to be ineffective and even detrimental to the election process.
2008 Electoral College ResultsUnder the electoral college system the people do not elect
a President by popular vote. Instead states vote for candidates (not all candidates are on the ballots in all the states) and the candidate with a plurality or majority supposedly gets all the state's electoral votes. This artifact is from the 2008 election showing the 2008 electoral college results. "Memphis World: The Electoral College." Crossroads to Freedom [Memphis], 14 Oct. 1967. Rhodes College. Crossroads to Freedom, www.crossroadstofreedom.org/view.player?pid=rds:48947. Accessed 28 Sept. 2017. National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/2008/election-results.html. |
“…and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by Ballot one of them for President…”
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This originates from the United States Constitution Article II, Section 1, cl. 3. Since the beginning of this country, our founding fathers have wrote a Constitution which contained a specific section on electoral college and its relevance to our country. US Constitution. Art. II, sec. 1, cl. 3.
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Voters do not vote for presidential candidates directly, they vote for "electors" to go to the college. |
All eligible citizens have an opportunity to vote for a new president every four years. We vote for a ticket for a president and a vice president. The outcome in each state determines a slate of electors, who then make the actual choice of president and vice president.
Walbert, David. "Does My Vote Count? Understanding the Electoral College." LearnNC, www.learnnc.org/lp/media/lessons/davidwalbert7232004-02/ electoralcollege.html. Accessed 6 Oct. 2017. |
Each state has as many electors as it does senators and members of the House of Representatives. The electors then meet in their state capital and vote. If there is a tie or no candidate wins a majority, the House of Representatives elects the president, due to the 12th Amendment.
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It maintains the balance of how much power the people should have and how much power large or state states should have.
Power for the People
When the democracy, or republic of America started, many believed that the people weren't trustworthy in picking the president so instead, they elected electors to review the candidates and pick the best one.
Power for the States
In the time of the Constitution, many believed that the states should vote, not the people, as the United States of America was not entirely united yet, it was just a formation of states. The larger states do have more influence in the Electoral College as they have more members in the House of Representatives, but small states still get to express their interests. With the Electoral College, electors elected by their states are able to promote their own state and interests in the government.
Bomboy, Scott. "Explaining How Recounts and Contested Presidential Elections Work." Constitution Daily, 26 Oct. 2016, constitutioncenter.org/blog/ explaining-how-recounts-and-contested-presidential-elections-work. Accessed 28 Sept. 2017.
When the democracy, or republic of America started, many believed that the people weren't trustworthy in picking the president so instead, they elected electors to review the candidates and pick the best one.
Power for the States
In the time of the Constitution, many believed that the states should vote, not the people, as the United States of America was not entirely united yet, it was just a formation of states. The larger states do have more influence in the Electoral College as they have more members in the House of Representatives, but small states still get to express their interests. With the Electoral College, electors elected by their states are able to promote their own state and interests in the government.
Bomboy, Scott. "Explaining How Recounts and Contested Presidential Elections Work." Constitution Daily, 26 Oct. 2016, constitutioncenter.org/blog/ explaining-how-recounts-and-contested-presidential-elections-work. Accessed 28 Sept. 2017.
Many citizens in 2017 chose not to vote.
MegaAgent.com. 7 Nov. 2016, www.megaagentdesign.com/ dont-let-yourself-or-the-media-talk-you-out-of-voting/. Accessed 19 Dec. 2017. |
When voting for a representative, voters are providing their voice in not only their choice of president, but also a say in government developments and social/health issues. Elected officials know who votes as well.
Novak, Jake. "Of Course Elections Are 'Rigged.'" CNBC, 4 Nov. 2016, www.cnbc.com/ 2016/11/04/rigged-elections-are-real-commentary.html. Accessed 10 Oct. 2017. "The Importance of Voting." Mass Vote, massvote.org/the-importance-of-voting/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2017. |
Take the quiz!
Do you know the history of the house?
Leins, Casey. "U.S. News Quiz: Do You Know the History of the House?" U.S. News, 17 Nov. 2014, www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/11/17/ us-news-quiz-do-you-know-the-history-of-the-house. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.
Do you know the history of the house?
Leins, Casey. "U.S. News Quiz: Do You Know the History of the House?" U.S. News, 17 Nov. 2014, www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/11/17/ us-news-quiz-do-you-know-the-history-of-the-house. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.
"Crash Course" explains the Electoral College in video form.
"Election Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics #36." Crash Course, Youtube, 23 Oct. 2015.
"Election Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics #36." Crash Course, Youtube, 23 Oct. 2015.