electoral college

District Method:

2 electoral votes go to the candidate who wins the most votes overall in the state, the other electoral votes go to whichever candidate wins each congressional district

How many electoral votes must a candidate get to become president (the "magic number")?

270

What is the smallest number of electors a state could have?

3

How many total electors are there?

538

2000 Presidential election shows:

Bush lost popular vote but won electoral vote

Question 3:

Gun Background Checks

How does the popular vote (people's votes) in each state influence that state's electoral votes?

In 48 states, whichever candidate wins the popular vote in the state wins ALL of the state's electoral votes.

Arguments against the electoral college:

It diminishes the principle of one person, one vote In states where one candidate is very popular, voters may feel like there is little reason to vote- the outcome will not change a candidate could win the popular vote nationwide but lose the electoral vote. In that case the candidate who won more people's votes does not become president. This has happened 3 times in U.S. history, most recently in 2000...

Question 1:

Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

Which 2 states don't use the winner-take-all system?

Maine & Nebraska

How is the number of electors per state determined?

Number of Representatives (Congressional Districts) in each state + number of Senators = electoral votes

Question 4:

Raising Minimum Wage

Question 5:

Ranked-Choice Voting

Suggested Reforms:

Reform Idea #1 abolish the electoral college and use the nationwide popular vote instead Reform Idea #2 have every state use the District Method (like Maine and Nebraska)

Question 2:

Tax Increase/School Funding

How does census affect representation in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College:

congressional seats gained, lost, no change

Arguments for the electoral college

encourages a 2-party system which builds political stability candidates must get support from a variety of different regions to win enough electoral votes builds unity, Voters in small states matter - candidates don't just pay attention to large states

How does the electoral college influence candidates' campaign strategy?

focus on "swing states" where polls show the race is close ignore states where polls show one candidate is very popular