Electoral College
The electoral college, not the popular vote, is the system used in the United States to elect presidents.
- Do You Understand the Electoral College?Do you understand what the Electoral College is? Or how it works? Or why America uses it to elect its presidents instead of just using a straight popular vote? Author, lawyer and Electoral College expert Tara Ross does, and she explains that to understand the Electoral College is to understand American democracy. A study guide is also provided.
- The Electoral CollegeThe Electoral College is a unique method for indirectly electing the president of the United States. It was established by Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution and modified by the 12th and 23rd Amendments.
- Electoral College Fast FactsThis website offers insight and fun facts about the electoral college.
Research & Resources
- Electoral College: Credo ReferenceThe Electoral College research topic page from Credo Reference includes reference materials and images on the topic. This resource also links to scholarly research on the electoral college in many McKee Library databases. A helpful research map highlights key topics.
- Electoral College: Points of ViewThe article presents an overview of the U.S. Electoral College. The country's president is not elected directly by the people as voters cast their ballots instead for slates of electors from all fifty states, including the District of Columbia. A brief history of the establishment of the Electoral College by the framers of the Constitution is presented, as well as Electoral College-related terms and their definitions. Links are provided for point and counterpoint to the argument.
- Electoral College: Should the United States Continue to Use the Electoral College in Presidential Elections?From Issues & Controversies, this page presents the arguments for supporters of the electoral college and those against the practice. Links are included to statistics, media resources, infographics, and editorials.
- Share of electoral and popular votes by runner up in US elections 1824-2016The electoral college system is used to determine the outcome of the presidential elections every four years in the United States. Generally, this means that the winner of the popular vote in most states (excluding Maine and Nebraska) is then allocated a that state's allocation of electoral votes, and the candidate with the most electoral college votes is declared president. Because of this, the candidate with the most overall votes may not necessarily become president, and this has happened in five elections since 1824. In 1876, Samuel J. Tilden was the first candidate to win an outright majority but lose the election, as Rutherford B. Hayes won 50.14 percent of the electoral college votes (despite only receiving 48 percent of the popular vote). More recently, in 2000 and 2016, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton won the respective popular votes, however lost due to the electoral college. The largest difference occurred in 1872, however this was because Horace Greeley died after the popular vote, but before the electoral vote, therefore his electoral votes were spread among the candidates. Other largest difference in the last fifty years was in 1984, when Walter Mondale received over forty percent of the popular vote, yet Ronald Reagan received almost 98 percent of the electoral votes.
Podcasts
- Electoral College- Civics 101
When we vote for a president, we're not really voting for a president.
Today in our episode on the Electoral College, we explore the rationale of the framers in creating it, its workings, its celebrations, its critiques, and its potential future.
This episode features the voices of Northwestern Professor of political science Alvin Tillery, University of Texas Professor of political science Rebecca Deen, and former 'faithless elector' Christopher Suprun. - Electoral College
What is it, why do we have it, and why hasn't it changed? Born from a rushed, fraught, imperfect process, the origins and evolution of the Electoral College might surprise you and make you think differently about not only this upcoming presidential election, but our democracy as a whole.
Perspectives
Enlightened Democracy
Pick up a newspaper and read about the Electoral College. It is a sure recipe for losing respect for the institution. Media commentators are swift to dismiss the institution as outdated and elitist, an anachronism that should be replaced by a direct popular vote. In recent years, this discontent has found a voice as a well-funded, California-based effort seeks to bypass the constitutional amendment process and effectively eliminate the Electoral College through a series of state laws. Such efforts to eliminate the Electoral College are misguided, and this book shows why. Written in straightforward language, Enlightened Democracy traces the history of the Electoral College from the Constitutional Convention to the present. This second edition of the book is revised and expanded to include a new section about the National Popular Vote legislative effort. The Electoral College protects our republic and promotes our liberty. Americans should defend their unique presidential election system at all costs.
After the People Vote
Ultimate "Tiger Mom" Abby Lee Miller--the passionate, unapologetically outspoken, tough-as-nails star of Lifetime's phenomenal hit Dance Moms and Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition--offers inspirational, tough love guidance for parents who want to help their children succeed and for readers of all ages striving to become the best they can be. If you want to help your kid reach the top, you can find no better coach than Abby Lee Miller. While some may criticize her methods, no one argues with her results. Her kids excel, her teams win, and her alumni go on to Broadway careers. Organized by "Abbyisms," her unique and effective philosophies on hard work, competition, and life, this straight-talking guide provides clear and proven advice for achieving success, from figuring out your child's passion to laying the groundwork for an exciting future career. Abby answers tough questions from real moms, shares all the stories fans want to hear, and includes vignettes from shining alums who give their take on her unique approach and how it helped them make their dreams come true.
Securing Democracy
Introduction / Mitch McConnell -- The origins and meaning of the electoral college / Gary L. Gregg II -- The development and democratization of the electoral college / Andrew E. Busch -- Federalism, the states and the electoral college / James R. Stoner Jr. -- Moderating the political impulse / Paul A. Rahe -- The electoral college and the future of the American political parties / Michael Barone -- The electoral college and the uniqueness of America / Daniel Patrick Moynihan -- Creating constitutional majorities : the electoral college after 2000 / Michael M. Uhlmann -- Outputs : the electoral college produces presidents / Walter Berns.
Electoral College Primer
Like you we know that time is a precious commodity these days with packed schedules, testing requirements, and more. The newest addition to our product line can help you make the most of the time you have. The Quick Planning Guide - developed in conjunction with Grant Wiggins, President of Authentic Education and author of Understanding By Design - gives you the best of both worlds: planning suggestions to make the most of your time, and a focus on the Essential Questions that will drive student understanding. Scott Foresman Social Studies helps you make a difference.
Streaming Media
- Does Your Vote Count?View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/does-your-v... You vote, but then what? Discover how your individual vote contributes to the popular vote and your state's electoral vote in different ways--and see how votes are counted on both state and national levels. Lesson by Christina Greer, animation by Marked Animation.
- Twelfth Amendment: Electoral CollegeThe purpose of the 12th Amendment (1804) was to mend the complications that arose within the electoral process as political parties became increasingly active.