Electoral College - U.S. Government for Kids!

Summary

This video explains the Electoral College system used in U.S. presidential elections. It covers the historical context of its creation, how electors are selected, and the role of the popular vote. The script highlights how each state allocates electoral votes and discusses instances where candidates win the presidency without the national popular vote. It also addresses criticisms of the system, such as the focus on swing states and disproportionate voting power. Despite these criticisms, the Electoral College remains central to U.S. elections and would require a constitutional amendment to change.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Electoral College system was established with the 12th Amendment and has been used for over 200 years.
• ⚖️ Initially, the Electoral College led to presidents and vice presidents from opposing parties, like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, prompting a change.
• 🏛️ Each state's legislature determines how electors are chosen, and federal office holders cannot serve as electors.
• 🗳️ Since 1864, electors have been selected by popular vote on Election Day, but voters are technically voting for electors, not the president directly.
• 🔢 The number of electors for each state equals its total congressional representation, including both senators and representatives.
• 🌍 A total of 538 electoral votes exist, with 270 needed to win the presidency. If no candidate reaches this majority, the House of Representatives decides the winner.
• 🎖️ Most states use a winner-takes-all system, where the candidate with the majority of the popular vote wins all of the state's electors, except in Maine and Nebraska.
• 🕑 Electors cast their votes in December, and these are certified by Congress in January, with the Vice President presiding over the process.
• 💡 A major criticism of the Electoral College is that it allows candidates to focus their campaigns on swing states while ignoring other states.
• ⚖️ Another critique is that smaller states have disproportionate voting power, leading to ongoing debates about the fairness of the system.

Q & A

What is the Electoral College system?

The Electoral College is a system used to elect the president of the United States. Voters indirectly elect the president by voting for electors who are pledged to vote for their preferred candidate.

When was the Electoral College system introduced and changed?

The current Electoral College process was introduced with the 12th Amendment in the early 1800s, modifying the original system in Article 2 of the Constitution.

Why was the original presidential election procedure changed?

The original system sometimes resulted in a president and vice president from different political parties, as happened with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This created conflicts, so the process was changed.

How are electors chosen in the Electoral College system?

Each state legislature determines how electors are chosen. Since 1864, electors have been selected based on the popular vote in each state.

How many total electors are there in the Electoral College?

There are 538 total electors in the Electoral College, which includes 100 senators, 435 representatives, and 3 electors for Washington, D.C.

What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency?

A candidate needs a majority of 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

What happens if no candidate receives 270 electoral votes?

If no candidate receives 270 electoral votes, the U.S. House of Representatives decides the presidency. Each state gets one vote, and a candidate must win at least 26 states.

Which states do not follow the winner-takes-all approach in the Electoral College?

Maine and Nebraska do not follow the winner-takes-all approach. They divide their electoral votes based on the proportion of votes each candidate receives.

What are some criticisms of the Electoral College system?

Criticisms include that it sometimes elects a president who did not win the popular vote, gives disproportionate power to smaller states, and encourages candidates to focus only on swing states.

Why is it difficult to change the Electoral College system?

Changing the Electoral College would require a constitutional amendment, which is a difficult and lengthy process.