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  • The Electoral College: How It Works Criticisms, Strengths, Possible Reforms

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    Danielle Moore
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    The document summarizes how the US Electoral College system works, criticisms of the system, its strengths, and possible reforms. It explains that each state is allocated Electoral College votes based on its Congressional representation. To win the presidency, a candidate must receive over 270 Electoral College votes. Key criticisms are that small states have disproportionate influence and the "winner-take-all" approach distorts results. Potential reforms discussed are allocating Electoral College votes proportionally or moving to a national popular vote.

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    The Electoral College

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    The document summarizes how the US Electoral College system works, criticisms of the system, its strengths, and possible reforms. It explains that each state is allocated Electoral College votes based on its Congressional representation. To win the presidency, a candidate must receive over 270 Electoral College votes. Key criticisms are that small states have disproportionate influence and the "winner-take-all" approach distorts results. Potential reforms discussed are allocating Electoral College votes proportionally or moving to a national popular vote.

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    75 views9 pages

    The Electoral College: How It Works Criticisms, Strengths, Possible Reforms

    Uploaded by

    Danielle Moore
    The document summarizes how the US Electoral College system works, criticisms of the system, its strengths, and possible reforms. It explains that each state is allocated Electoral College votes based on its Congressional representation. To win the presidency, a candidate must receive over 270 Electoral College votes. Key criticisms are that small states have disproportionate influence and the "winner-take-all" approach distorts results. Potential reforms discussed are allocating Electoral College votes proportionally or moving to a national popular vote.

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    of 9

    THE ELECTORAL

    COLLEGE
    •How it works;
    •Criticisms,
    •Strengths,
    •Possible
    •Reforms
    How it works
     Each states is awarded a certain number
    of EC votes.
     This number is equal to the states
    representation in Congress. Eg. California
    has 55 (2- senators & 53 Reps) compared
    to 3 (2 senators & 1 rep).
     There are 538 EC votes.
     To win the presidency, a candidate must
    win a majority (270)
     The popular votes for each candidate are
    counted in each states.
     In all but 2 states whichever candidate wins the
    most popular votes receives all of the EC votes
    for that state – winner takes all rule.
     This rule however is not in the Constitution, its
    purely a convention.
     The EC never meet together. Its members meet
    in their respective state capitals on the Monday
    after the 2nd Wednesday in December.
     They send their results to the VP and he counts
    the EC votes in a joint session of Congress.
     If no candidate wins an absolute
    majority, the president is elected by the
    House of Representatives by an
    absolute majority vote.
     Meanwhile the VP would be elected by
    the Senate, following the same format.
    Criticisms of the Electoral College
     Small states are over represented
     Winner takes all system distorts the
    result.
     Unfair to national third parties.
     ‘Rogue electors’
     Potentially a President and a Vice
    President of different parties.
    Strengths of the Electoral College
     It preserves the voice of the small
    population states.
     It tends to promote a two horse race –
    more legitimacy and authority as
    someone will get more that 50% of the
    vote.
    Possible Reforms
    The Main System –
     used in Main and Nebraska,
     involves awarding one vote to a
    candidate for each congressional district
    that they win, and two votes for the state
    wide winner.
     If used in 2000 = less proportionate.
    2004= exaggerated Bush’s win.
    Allocation of EC votes in prop to pop vote:
     Fairer to national third parties- more
    proportional system.
     Encourage more voters to vote for other
    parties, this makes it more likely that no
    candidate will win an absolute majority,
    throwing the election to Congress.
     In 2000, Bush would have beat Gore
    (260.2 – 258.4) others with 19.4.
     Other reforms would need to made? – a
    thresh hold- 10%?
    The Direct Election Plan-
     Opinion polls suggest American’s would
    like to directly elect the President. Eg. 2000
    – Gallup Poll – 61% in favour.
     Despite popularity for this, only an
    amendment made by Congress can reform
    the process.
     Seems highly unlikely – small populated
    states love the current system, requires 2/3
    majority in BOTH House and Senate and
    equal rep of small/large states in the
    Senate.

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