The Electoral College | Homework Help from the Bill of Rights Institute

Summary

The Electoral College is a critical component of the U.S. presidential election system, designed to balance popular will with federalism. Created during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, it was seen as a way to prevent demagoguery and ensure states' interests in choosing a president. The system consists of electors chosen through state elections, with the total number of electoral votes equal to the number of senators and representatives in Congress. While the Electoral College is praised for reflecting constitutional principles, critics argue it overemphasizes smaller states and can result in a president winning without the popular vote. Debates on its relevance continue today.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Electoral College is a key part of the U.S. presidential election process, determining how the president is selected.
• 😀 The origins of the Electoral College can be traced back to the fears of centralized executive power after the American Revolution.
• 😀 The Electoral College was created in 1787 as a compromise to balance the executive branch's power and prevent direct democracy from leading to chaos or demagoguery.
• 😀 The number of electors each state has is equal to its total number of senators and representatives in Congress.
• 😀 Initially, electors voted for two individuals, a president and a vice president, without party tickets, as political parties didn't exist yet.
• 😀 The 12th Amendment (1804) changed the process to allow for party ticket voting, separating votes for president and vice president.
• 😀 The framers of the Constitution believed the Electoral College would serve as a deliberative body, limiting the influence of emotional appeals and demagoguery.
• 😀 The principle of federalism was a core reason for the Electoral College's creation, ensuring that the states' interests would play a role in electing the president.
• 😀 While electors generally follow the popular vote of their state, some states have laws that require electors to align with the state's popular vote, though this is constitutionally debated.
• 😀 If no candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes, the election is decided by the House of Representatives, where each state casts one vote for president.
• 😀 The debate over the Electoral College continues, with supporters arguing it ensures geographical diversity in the election, while critics claim it disproportionately empowers smaller states.

Q & A

What was the primary concern of American colonists under King George III that influenced the creation of the Electoral College?

The American colonists were concerned about the spread of centralized executive power under King George III. They feared the possibility of a tyrannical government, which influenced their decision to establish a system that would limit executive power while balancing the interests of states.

Why did the framers of the Constitution decide against a direct popular vote for president?

The framers feared that a direct popular vote could lead to mob rule or manipulation by demagogues. They believed that electors, as a deliberative body, would more calmly assess candidates and provide a safeguard against emotional or corrupt appeals.

How did the framers of the Constitution balance the power between the branches of government during the creation of the Electoral College?

The framers aimed to create a system that balanced executive power with legislative and judicial oversight. While they wanted to strengthen the executive branch compared to the weak government under the Articles of Confederation, they also wanted to prevent the president from becoming too powerful, which led to the creation of the Electoral College as a check on direct democracy.

What role did Alexander Hamilton play in the creation of the Electoral College?

Alexander Hamilton argued in Federalist 68 that the Electoral College would prevent the election of a demagogue who could manipulate the masses. He believed the College would be a more rational, deliberative body that could better assess the qualifications of presidential candidates and safeguard against corruption.

How are the number of electors for each state determined?

Each state’s number of electors is equal to its total number of Congressional representatives (senators and representatives). This ensures that both the states' legislative interests and their population are reflected in the Electoral College.

What was the significance of the 12th Amendment in relation to the Electoral College?

The 12th Amendment, ratified in 1804, changed the process of how electors voted. It established the procedure for voting for a president and vice president on separate ballots, which addressed issues that arose in the early elections, such as the election of 1800.

What is the 'winner-take-all' system in the context of the Electoral College?

In the 'winner-take-all' system, the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state receives all of that state's electoral votes. This system is used in most states, though Maine and Nebraska use a proportional system instead.

What happens if no candidate wins a majority of the Electoral College?

If no candidate wins a majority of the Electoral College, the election is decided by the House of Representatives, where each state casts one vote, and the candidate who wins a majority of state votes becomes president.

How many electors are there in total in the Electoral College, and how are they distributed?

There are a total of 538 electors in the Electoral College, which includes 535 electors for the 50 states (based on their Congressional representation) and 3 electors for Washington, D.C.

Why do some critics argue that the Electoral College is outdated?

Critics argue that the Electoral College is outdated because it can result in a president being elected without winning the popular vote, as has happened in five elections. They also argue that it gives disproportionate power to smaller states and that the system no longer reflects modern democratic ideals.