Electing the PRESIDENT [AP Gov Review, Unit 5 Topic 8 (5.8)]

Summary

This video explains the complex process of electing a U.S. president, focusing on primaries, party nominations, and the pivotal role of the Electoral College. It describes the different types of primaries (open, closed, and caucuses), the incumbent advantage, and the general election process, where voters technically vote for electors, not directly for the president. The Electoral College system is explored, with an emphasis on its impact on democracy, as seen in the controversial 2000 and 2016 elections. The video also covers the debates surrounding this system and its effects on campaign strategies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Primary elections are the first step in the U.S. presidential election process, where party members vote to nominate their preferred candidate for the general election.
• 😀 There are two main types of primary elections: open primaries (where any registered voter can participate) and closed primaries (where only registered party members can vote).
• 😀 Some states use caucuses instead of primaries, which involve public discussions and debates before casting votes for the nominee.
• 😀 Incumbent presidents have a significant advantage in elections due to their experience, recognition, and established campaign networks.
• 😀 Election Day involves voters casting their ballots, but they are technically voting for electors, not directly for presidential candidates.
• 😀 The Electoral College consists of electors, with each state having the same number as its congressional representatives (Senators + House members).
• 😀 Most states use a winner-takes-all system for allocating electoral votes, except for Maine and Nebraska, which split theirs.
• 😀 To win the presidency, a candidate must secure at least 270 out of 538 electoral votes.
• 😀 Faithless electors can, in theory, vote against the popular vote of their state, though this is rare and often illegal in some states.
• 😀 The 2000 and 2016 presidential elections highlighted the discrepancy between the popular vote and the Electoral College outcome, where the candidate who won the popular vote did not win the presidency.
• 😀 Proponents of the Electoral College argue it ensures candidates campaign across a broader range of states, while critics argue it leads to disproportionate attention to swing states and undermines the popular vote.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of this video?

The main purpose of this video is to explain the process of electing a U.S. president and to discuss how the Electoral College both facilitates and impedes democracy.

What is the difference between open and closed primaries?

In an open primary, any registered voter can vote in either party's primary, but not both. In a closed primary, only registered voters within a specific party can vote in that party's primary.

What is a caucus and how does it differ from a primary?

A caucus is a meeting where voters publicly discuss and debate the candidates before casting their votes, unlike primaries which use secret ballots. Both methods are used to nominate candidates for the general election.

What does it mean if a president is an 'incumbent'?

An incumbent is a sitting president who is running for re-election after serving a first term. They usually have advantages such as familiarity, established political networks, and previous campaign experience.

How does the Electoral College work?

In the Electoral College system, each state has electors equal to its number of congressional representatives (Senators and House members). The electors vote for president, and the candidate with a majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) wins the presidency.

What is the winner-takes-all system in the Electoral College?

In most states, the winner of the popular vote in that state receives all of the state's electoral votes. However, Maine and Nebraska are exceptions, where electoral votes can be split.

Can electors in the Electoral College vote against the popular vote?

Yes, electors can vote against the popular vote, and these electors are known as 'faithless electors.' However, this is rare and some states have laws to prevent it.

What is a swing state in U.S. elections?

A swing state is a state where the outcome of the election is uncertain, and both major candidates have a good chance of winning. These states often receive the most attention during campaigns.

Why do some people argue against the Electoral College?

Critics argue that the Electoral College can distort the outcome of the election. For example, in 2000 and 2016, candidates won the Electoral College without winning the popular vote, leading to questions about the fairness of the system.

What is the incumbency advantage?

The incumbency advantage refers to the various benefits an incumbent president has during an election, such as experience, name recognition, and established support networks, which generally give them a higher chance of winning re-election.