The Electoral College, explained

Summary

The video script discusses the Electoral College system in the US, explaining its origin, how it operates, and its impact on the presidential elections. It highlights the discrepancies in voting power among states and the historical reasons behind its establishment, including the 'three-fifths clause'. The script also points out the shifts in political dynamics and the ongoing debate over the fairness and necessity of the Electoral College, with a focus on its current influence in favoring certain states and demographics.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The U.S. presidential election is determined by the Electoral College, not the national popular vote.
• 🔄 National polls are less important than swing states, which can determine the election outcome.
• 🏛 The Electoral College is based on the representation system in Congress, with each state having a number of representatives based on population and two senators.
• 📊 States with smaller populations have more influence per voter in the Electoral College due to the allocation of delegates.
• 🏳️‍🔴 The Electoral College has historically led to instances where a candidate wins the presidency without the popular vote.
• 📊 The system creates discrepancies in voting power among states, with some states' votes being worth more than others.
• 🔄 Swing states, like Florida, receive significant attention from candidates due to their potential to swing the election.
• 📉 Non-swing states are often overlooked during campaigns, despite having large populations.
• 🔄 The Electoral College's influence has shifted over time, reflecting demographic and political changes.
• 🏛 The Electoral College was designed to balance power among states, with historical compromises like the 'three-fifths clause'.
• 🔄 Attempts to abolish the Electoral College have been blocked by those who benefit from it, reflecting ongoing political dynamics.

Q & A

Why do national polls not determine the winner of the U.S. presidential election?

National polls do not determine the winner because the U.S. uses the Electoral College system, where the president is elected by state delegates rather than the national popular vote.

What is the Electoral College and how does it work?

The Electoral College is a system where each U.S. state has a number of delegates based on its population and representation in Congress, and the president is elected by the majority of these delegates rather than the overall popular vote.

Why does the Electoral College system sometimes result in a candidate winning the presidency without the popular vote?

This can happen because a candidate can win a few populous states by a small margin, thereby securing a majority of electoral votes, even if they lose the national popular vote.

How does the allocation of electoral votes per state differ between populous and less populous states?

Each state gets the same number of electoral votes as their Congressional representatives, plus two for each senator. This means populous states like Texas have many more electoral votes per person than less populous states like Vermont.

What is a 'swing state' and why are they important in U.S. presidential elections?

A 'swing state' is a state where the election outcome is uncertain and can go to either party. They are important because candidates focus their campaigns on these states to secure the necessary electoral votes to win the presidency.

How does the winner-take-all system in most states affect the importance of individual votes?

The winner-take-all system means that the candidate who gets the most votes in a state, even by a small margin, receives all of the state's electoral votes, which can make individual votes in some states more influential than in others.

What was the 'three-fifths clause' and how did it influence the Electoral College?

The 'three-fifths clause' was a compromise in the U.S. Constitution that counted enslaved people as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of determining a state's population and, consequently, its electoral votes, giving Southern states more representation.

How has the Electoral College system affected the political representation of different racial groups throughout U.S. history?

The Electoral College has historically benefited certain groups, such as White Southerners, by allowing for overrepresentation despite discriminatory practices that prevented many from voting, such as poll taxes and acts of violence.

Why have attempts to abolish the Electoral College failed in the past?

Attempts to abolish the Electoral College have failed because those who benefit most from the system, such as Southern senators in the past, have blocked changes that would reduce their influence.

How does the current Electoral College system benefit certain states and political parties?

The current system benefits states with a lot of electoral votes for fewer people, which tend to be whiter and less diverse, and often Republican strongholds. This has led to recent Republican presidents winning the Electoral College without the popular vote.

What is the argument for keeping the Electoral College as it is?

The argument for keeping the Electoral College is that it gives certain regions and populations more power in choosing the president, and its defenders believe it serves as a political safeguard for their interests.