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Delve into the history, structure, and implications of the Electoral College system in the U.S., exploring its mechanics, advantages, and disadvantages. Learn about the intricate process of electing the President through 51 separate elections, the role of delegates, and the perpetuation of the two-party system. Understand why the Electoral College persists despite criticisms and potential reforms.
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The Electoral College LCC Tim Cantrell
Creation • The Electoral College was created at the Constitutional Convention by the Founding Fathers • It was the last of many plans adopted in 1787 in Philadelphia
Major Changes Through the Years • 12th Amendment-1804-Separated the candidacy of the President and the Vice-President • Popular election of electors in the 1820’s & 30’s
The Mechanics • The Presidential Election should be viewed as 51 separate elections each with a “winner take all” system • To win a candidate must get a majority of 538 votes or 270 • Each state is represented in the EC according to their total number of members of Congress
The Mechanics Cont’d • Kentucky has 2 senators and 6 representatives. This means that Kentucky has 8 electoral votes • California, the most populous state, has two senators and 52 representatives. This gives California 54 electoral votes • Wyoming, the least populous state, has two senators and 1 representative. This gives Wyoming 3 electoral votes
The Mechanics Cont’d • The total electoral vote of 538 is based on 100 senators, 435 representatives for the 50 states. The 23rd Amendment gave Washington, DC 3 electoral votes • The candidates compete in 50 states and DC for electoral votes and the winner must have at least 270 • The Electoral College always works when there are only two candidates
The Mechanics Cont’d • If there are more than two candidates, the system might not work • If the system does not work, the House elects the President and the Senate elects the Vice-President. This has not happened since 1824.
What the Individual Vote Means • Individual votes count only in the state where they are cast • When all states have voted, the candidate with the most votes in each state gets all the electoral votes of that state • In December, following the November Election, the winning electors in each state go to their respective state capitals and cast their votes and send them to Congress
Electoral College Delegates • The delegates are chosen by the political parties in each state • Historically, the delegates have been 99.9% loyal to their party • After the combined votes in 50 states and DC are counted by a joint session of Congress, the election is official
Disadvantages of the Electoral College System • Complex • The person with the most votes may not win
Advantages • Preserves the federal system-winning individual states is important. Without the EC, state lines mean nothing • Preserves the two party system • Keeps our politics moderate-extreme parties have little chance of winning any state
Advantages • Protects minorities-they form the balance of power in most states and can’t be ignored. Without the EC, one could develop a program just for the white urban middle class and win. (If you want David Duke, the KKK man from Louisiana as President or some other extremist, then abolish the Electoral College and go for all popular vote and you may get such a person.)
Conclusion • The system is not likely to change because of the difficulty of amending the Constitution • Why fix it if it is not broken?
