what is the electoral college definition quizlet

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04-11-2024

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What is the Electoral College? A Definition and Quizlet-Style Questions

The Electoral College is a unique system in the United States that determines the winner of presidential elections. It's a complex topic often misunderstood, so let's break it down.

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is a group of electors chosen by each state and the District of Columbia to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. The number of electors each state receives is equal to the number of Senators (two) plus the number of Representatives in the House of Representatives.

Why was the Electoral College Created?

The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College as a compromise between electing the President by popular vote and having the President chosen by Congress. They feared a direct popular vote would favor larger states and feared that Congress might be swayed by outside influences.

How Does the Electoral College Work?

• Electors are chosen: Each state and the District of Columbia holds its own election for President.
• Candidates receive electoral votes: The candidate who wins the popular vote in a state usually receives all of that state's electoral votes (except in Maine and Nebraska, which allocate electoral votes by congressional district).
• Winning the Presidency: A candidate needs to win a majority of electoral votes (currently 270 out of 538) to become President.

Key Points to Remember:

• The person with the most popular votes doesn't always win the presidency.
• The Electoral College system gives more power to less populous states.
• It can create a situation where a candidate wins the presidency without winning the popular vote.

Quizlet-Style Questions:

True or False:

1. The Electoral College is a group of electors chosen by each state and the District of Columbia to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.
2. The candidate with the most popular votes always wins the presidency.
3. The number of electors each state receives is equal to the number of Senators plus the number of Representatives in the House of Representatives.

Multiple Choice:

1. What is the primary purpose of the Electoral College?
   • To ensure that all states have an equal voice in choosing the President.
   • To protect the interests of smaller states.
   • To elect the President based on the number of popular votes.
2. How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?
   • 270
   • 300
   • 538
3. Which of the following is a potential drawback of the Electoral College?

• It gives more power to less populous states.
• It can lead to a situation where a candidate wins the presidency without winning the popular vote.
• It makes it difficult for third-party candidates to win.

Short Answer:

1. What are the main arguments for and against the Electoral College system?

Answers:

True or False:

1. True
2. False
3. True

Multiple Choice:

1. All of the above
2. 270
3. All of the above

Short Answer:

1. Arguments for the Electoral College include protecting the interests of smaller states, ensuring a wider range of candidates, and encouraging candidates to focus on national issues. Arguments against include the possibility of a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote, the potential for a winner-take-all system to disenfranchise minority voters, and the fact that it does not reflect the will of the majority.

By understanding the Electoral College system, you gain a deeper appreciation of how the President of the United States is chosen and the political dynamics at play.