Electoral College

Definition

The Electoral College is the group of electors who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. It is a process established in the Constitution that balances the popular vote with representation from each state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The number of electors each state receives is equal to its representation in Congress (House seats plus Senate seats).
2. Winning the popular vote does not guarantee winning the Electoral College, as the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide may not win the necessary 270 electoral votes.
3. The Electoral College system has been the subject of ongoing debate, with some arguing it is undemocratic and others defending it as a safeguard against the tyranny of the majority.
4. The winner-take-all approach used by most states means that a candidate can win a state's electoral votes by even a narrow margin.
5. The role of the Electoral College in the presidential election process has evolved over time, with the increasing importance of swing states and the influence of money in campaigns.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Electoral College system was developed as part of the Constitution and how it has influenced the evolution of the presidential election process.
  • The Electoral College system was established in the U.S. Constitution as a compromise between electing the president by popular vote and having Congress choose the president. The framers of the Constitution were concerned about the potential for a few highly populated states to dominate the election, so they created the Electoral College to balance the interests of large and small states. Over time, the Electoral College has become increasingly influential, with the rise of swing states and the outsized role of money in campaigns. The system has been the subject of ongoing debate, with some arguing it is undemocratic and others defending it as a safeguard against the tyranny of the majority.
• Analyze the role of the Electoral College in the context of elections and the two-party system in the United States.
  • The Electoral College system has had a significant impact on the dynamics of elections and the two-party system in the United States. By awarding electoral votes on a state-by-state basis, rather than a national popular vote, the Electoral College incentivizes candidates to focus their campaigns on a handful of swing states that can tip the balance of the election. This, in turn, has reinforced the dominance of the Democratic and Republican parties, as they have adapted their strategies to appeal to the specific concerns of voters in these key states. Additionally, the winner-take-all approach used by most states means that a candidate can win a state's electoral votes by even a narrow margin, further entrenching the two-party system and making it difficult for third-party candidates to gain a foothold.
• Evaluate the arguments for and against the Electoral College system and its impact on the presidential election process and the broader political landscape in the United States.
  • The Electoral College system has been the subject of intense debate, with proponents arguing that it protects the interests of smaller states and prevents the tyranny of the majority, while critics contend that it is undemocratic and distorts the will of the people. Supporters of the Electoral College claim that it encourages candidates to build geographically diverse coalitions and prevents a few highly populated states from dominating the election. Opponents, on the other hand, argue that the system undermines the principle of one person, one vote and can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote. The impact of the Electoral College on the presidential election process and the broader political landscape is significant, as it has contributed to the dominance of the two-party system, the outsized influence of swing states, and the role of money in campaigns. Ultimately, the debate over the Electoral College reflects deeper tensions in American democracy between majority rule and the protection of minority interests.

Related terms

Electors: The members of the Electoral College who are selected by each state to cast votes for the President and Vice President.

Popular Vote:

The total number of votes cast by the general electorate, which does not directly determine the outcome of the presidential election.

Swing States:

The states that are not reliably Democratic or Republican and can swing the outcome of the presidential election.