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Understanding the Electoral College
An explanation of the United States Electoral College, its history, function, and ongoing debate.
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United States
PoliticsUs PoliticsElectionsGovernmentHistoryReform
CnnSenateHouse Of RepresentativesCongress
Mitch McconnellJohn F. KennedyPaul Lepage
- How does the Electoral College work in practice?
- The Electoral College functions by assigning electors to each state based on its total number of senators and representatives. Each state's electors then vote for the president and vice president, with the candidate reaching 270 electoral votes winning the election.
- Who supports or opposes the Electoral College, and why?
- Supporters of the Electoral College argue that it prevents a national recount, avoids domination by populous states, and ensures representation for smaller states. However, critics contend that it undermines popular sovereignty and disproportionately benefits certain states.
- What happens if there is a tie in the Electoral College?
- A tie in the Electoral College sends the election to the House of Representatives, where each state delegation casts one vote to decide among the top three candidates. If no candidate secures a majority, the vice president becomes president.
- Why did the Founding Fathers create the Electoral College system?
- Constitutionalists chose the Electoral College system due to fears of uninformed voters and powerful factions, aiming for a balance between state representation and popular will. It was a compromise that avoided direct popular vote or Congressional selection of the president.
- Has the Electoral College changed over time, and what is the likelihood of future change?
- The Electoral College has been amended three times, altering the process of electing the president and vice president and granting electors to the District of Columbia. Despite past attempts, abolishing it entirely remains a significant challenge, requiring substantial political will and constitutional amendments.