COMO FUNCIONAM AS ELEIÇÕES NOS EUA

Summary

The script offers an insightful explanation of the U.S. Electoral College system, using marshmallows to symbolize votes and states. It clarifies why winning the popular vote doesn't always secure a presidential win, highlighting the 'winner takes all' principle at the state level. The video also contrasts the U.S. system with Brazil's, noting differences in voting methods, compulsory voting, and the prevalence of two major parties in the U.S. The script concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the electoral process beyond the noise of politics.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ In the United States, the popular vote does not always determine the election winner due to the Electoral College system.
• 🍬 The script uses marshmallows to illustrate the concept of state representation and the 'winner takes all' principle in each state's electoral vote.
• 🏛️ The Electoral College assigns a specific number of delegates to each state based on population, with the most populous states having more delegates.
• 🏆 The goal in the presidential election is to reach 270 electoral votes out of a total of 538 to win the presidency.
• 🔴 The script highlights the importance of swing states, which can vote for different parties in different elections and can significantly influence the outcome.
• 🇺🇸 The two-party system in the U.S., dominated by Democrats and Republicans, makes it difficult for third-party or independent candidates to gain relevance.
• 🏢 The Electoral College was designed to balance power between states and the federal government, ensuring even smaller states have a voice.
• 📊 The script mentions a 2020 Pure research Center poll indicating that 58% of adults prefer the president to be elected by popular vote.
• 🗳️ In Brazil, unlike the U.S., if no candidate gets over 50% of the votes in the first round, a second round is held to ensure majority support.
• 📝 Voting in the U.S. is typically done by paper ballots or mail-in ballots, not electronic voting, which has its own set of advantages and challenges.
• 🎉 The script concludes with a reminder to enjoy life beyond the stresses of politics and to find joy in simple pleasures like marshmallows.

Q & A

Why did Donald Trump win the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton?

Donald Trump won the 2016 election because he secured more electoral votes. In the U.S., the Electoral College system means that the candidate who wins the majority of votes in a state gets all of that state's electoral votes, regardless of the margin of victory. This system can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the national popular vote.

What is the 'Winner Takes All' principle in the context of U.S. elections?

The 'Winner Takes All' principle refers to the method by which the candidate who wins the most votes in a state receives all of that state's electoral votes, not just a proportion based on the vote count. This can lead to a candidate winning the presidency even if they did not receive the most individual votes nationwide.

How does the number of electoral votes per state relate to the state's population?

The number of electoral votes a state has is based on its population. More populous states, like California, have more electoral votes, while less populous states have fewer. This allocation aims to balance the influence of both large and small states in the election of the U.S. President.

What is the minimum number of electoral votes a state can have, and why?

The minimum number of electoral votes a state can have is three. This is because each state is guaranteed at least three votes in the Electoral College, regardless of its population, to ensure that smaller states also have a voice in the election process.

What is the total number of electoral votes needed to win the U.S. Presidential Election, and why is this number significant?

The total number of electoral votes needed to win the U.S. Presidential Election is 270. This is significant because it represents the majority of the 538 electoral votes, and securing a majority is required to win the presidency.

Why do political parties focus on 'swing states' during U.S. elections?

Political parties focus on 'swing states' because these are states that do not consistently vote for one party and can change their allegiance between elections. Since these states can swing the balance of electoral votes, winning them can be crucial to securing a majority in the Electoral College.

What is the historical purpose of the Electoral College in the United States?

The Electoral College was designed to balance the power between the states and the federal government. It ensured that even smaller states had a voice in the election of the President, and it provided a practical way to organize and unify the diverse states into a single national decision.

Why is changing the Electoral College system in the United States considered difficult?

Changing the Electoral College system is difficult because it requires a supermajority in Congress and the approval of three-fourths of the states. Given the current political divide, achieving such consensus is nearly impossible.

How does the U.S. voting system compare to the Brazilian system in terms of voter participation and compulsory voting?

In the U.S., voting is not compulsory, which means there is a lower voter turnout compared to Brazil, where voting is mandatory. The Brazilian system tends to have a higher participation rate and is considered to provide a more accurate representation of the people's will.

What are the differences between the U.S. and Brazilian election processes in terms of the number of rounds and the timing of elections?

In the U.S., presidential elections occur every four years, always on the first Tuesday in November. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, there is no second round; the winner is determined by the Electoral College. In Brazil, elections also occur every four years, but they are held on the first Sunday in October, with a possible second round on the last Sunday of October if no candidate gets over 50% of the votes.

How does the method of voting in the U.S. differ from that in Brazil, and what are the implications of these differences?

In the U.S., voting is done by paper ballots or mail-in ballots, depending on the state. This can be less modern compared to electronic voting systems but avoids some of the issues associated with technology. In contrast, Brazil uses electronic voting, which is more modern but also comes with its own set of challenges.