U2 - The Electoral College

what if there is a tie in the election?

- 12th Amendment - Congress votes break the tie

what are the Constitutional requirements to run for president?

- At least 35 years old - Natural born citizen of US - Resident of US for 14+ years

steps when running for president

1: Primaries 2: Nominating Convention 3: General Election 4: Electoral College

formula to determine electors per state

2 Senators + number of members in House of Representatives = # of electors

how many electoral votes does a candidate need to win?

270

How many electoral votes are there?

538

general election

An election held to choose which candidate will hold office

Electoral College

In each state, individuals vote for the person they want to be President. The candidate with the most votes in each state wins all of that state's electoral votes. This is the winner take all system

What about 3rd parties?

The Electoral College basically protects the two-party system by making it nearly impossible for a third party or independent candidate to beat the Democratic and Republican candidates.

Why does the electoral college exist?

The founders thought that the use of electors would give our country a representative president while avoiding a corruptible national election

Pros of the Electoral college

it makes sure a president has support across the nation, not just in one region that has enough votes to provide a majority.

Primaries

political party meeting to determine which candidate from each party will run

cons of the electoral college

some say it is unfair because a candidate can win without actually winning the majority.

nominating convention

finalizes the selection of the ONE nominee (per party) and the nominee selects a VP

How does the electoral college work?

When citizens cast their ballots for president, they elect a slate of electors. Electors then cast the votes that decide who becomes president.

what is the purpose of the electoral college?

a compromise between the election of the President by a vote in Congress and by a popular vote of citizens