The U.S. Electoral College

Objectives

AP US History students will:

1) list the primary reasons that the Electoral College was created

2) list the drawbacks of the Electoral College

3) Discuss, in a knowledgeable manner, whether the Electoral College is

still needed to elect the President

What do the following four men all have in common?

A. Andrew Jackson

B. Samuel Tilden

C. Grover Cleveland

D. Al Gore

The Answer

They all won the popular vote in a Presidential election but did not become President.

1824Popular Vote

Andrew Jackson 43%John Q. Adams 30.5%

Electoral VoteJackson 99 votes

Adams 84 votes* Adams elected by House of

Representatives when Jackson did not receive a majority of the Electoral votes

1876

Popular Vote

Samuel Tilden 51%

R. B. Hayes 48%

Electoral College

Tilden 184

Hayes 185

Winner: Hayes

1888

Popular Vote

Grover Cleveland 48.5 %

Benjamin Harrison 47.8 %

Electoral College

Cleveland 168

Harrison 233

Winner: Harrison

2000

Popular Vote

Al Gore 48.7%

George W. Bush 48.5%

Electoral College

Gore 266

Bush 271

Winner: Bush

Why?President is NOT elected by direct ballot

Each state selects electors to vote

Electors are determined by state rep. in Congress

Example:- ME: 2 Reps, 2 Senators = 4 Votes

Why was it Created?

People not knowledgeable enough to choose PresidentPoor interstate communicationsCheck to give States a voice in Pres. electionMaintain regional balance

What are the drawbacks to the Electoral College?

Encourages low voter turnout

Diminishes third party influence

Person with most popular votes may not win

Leads to tactical voting

If no majority, House determines winnerLoss of Separation of PowerLoss of State checks

Why low voter turnout?

Winner take all system

Exceptions: ME , NE

If you win 50.1%, you get all electoral votes

People do not feel their vote counts

Third Parties

Encourages national appeal

Discourages regional appeal

Need a broad, national platform

Financial impacts

Tactical Voting

Voters look to candidates polls in states

“Lesser of two evils”

Vote against a candidate, not for one

Will not vote 3rd party

2 major parties able to maintain control

Map Activity

Unit Evaluation

Online activities

Wiki Post

2 page position paper (due Friday)

WebsitesWhat is Your Electoral College I.Q.?

http://www.RichardWarrenField.com/elct-tst.html In Defense of the Electoral College

http://www.cato.org/dailys/11-10-00html Electoral College Reform Options

http://gning.net/electoral.html

The Electoral College Inhibits Democracyhttp://www.electionreform.org/ERMain/editorials/ec.html How the Electoral College Works and Why it Works Well

http://www.cato.org/dailys/11-13-00.html