What is the Electoral College in simple terms?
The United States Electoral College is a name used to describe the official 538 Presidential electors who come together every four years during the presidential election to give their official votes for President and Vice President of the United States. No state can have fewer than three electors.
Does the Electoral College vote based on popular vote?
When citizens cast their ballots for president in the popular vote, they elect a slate of electors. Electors then cast the votes that decide who becomes president of the United States. Usually, electoral votes align with the popular vote in an election.
Why did the Founders create the Electoral College?
The Electoral College was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as an alternative to electing the president by popular vote or by Congress. Several weeks after the general election, electors from each state meet in their state capitals and cast their official vote for president and vice president.
How does the electoral college system work in USA?
In the Electoral College system, each state gets a certain number of electors based on its total number of representatives in Congress. Each elector casts one electoral vote following the general election; there are a total of 538 electoral votes. The candidate that gets more than half (270) wins the election.
What are the problems with the Electoral College quizlet?
is plagued by three major defects: (1) the winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency; (2) electors are not required to vote in accord with the popular vote; and (3) any election might have to be decided in the House of Representatives.
What are the major concerns or problems with the operation of the Electoral College system quizlet?
1) Small-population states are over-represented. 2) Winner-takes-all system can distort the result (such as in 2008, when Obama won 52% of the popular vote but 68% of the Electoral College votes). 3) Possible for a candidate to win the popular vote but lose in the Electoral College (as Al Gore (Democrat) did in 2000).
How are states awarded electoral votes?
Electoral votes are allocated among the States based on the Census. Every State is allocated a number of votes equal to the number of senators and representatives in its U.S. Congressional delegation—two votes for its senators in the U.S. Senate plus a number of votes equal to the number of its Congressional districts.
Who is represented in the Electoral College quizlet?
A group of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president. The national election, where one candidate from each party competes to get the position. Each state has as many electors as it has senators and representatives in Congress.
What is electoral college quizlet?
electoral college. A group selected by the states to elect the president and the vice-president, in which each state’s number of electors is equal to the number of its senators and representatives in Congress.
Does Congress certify the election?
The electors seal Certificates of Vote and send them to the OFR and Congress. In January, Congress sits in joint session to certify the election of the President and Vice President.
What is the primary purpose of the Electoral College?
The United States Electoral College is the group of presidential electors required by the Constitution to form every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president.
What is the main function of the Electoral College quizlet?
The Electoral college is the group of people (electors) chosen from each state and the district of Columbia to formally select the President and Vice President. A person elected by the voters to represent them in making a formal selection of the Vice President and President. State electors – chosen by states.
How does the electoral college choose the president quizlet?
Initially, in the electoral college, electors vote for president. Each elector votes for two persons. The person with the greatest number (must be a majority) of votes won the presidency; the person with the second most votes became the vice president. The senate would vote then elect the vice president.
What is the main role of the Electoral College?