Course 2 Electoral College

Title: Understanding the Electoral College: An Insight into the American Electoral
System
The Origins of the Electoral College

The origins of the Electoral College can be traced back to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where
the Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia to draft the United States Constitution. The issue of how to
elect the President of the United States was a matter of significant debate and compromise during the
convention.
During the Constitutional Convention, several proposals were put forth regarding the method of electing
the President:
1. Direct Election by the People: Some delegates, notably James Wilson of Pennsylvania, advocated for a
system of direct popular election of the President. They argued that this method would ensure the
President's accountability to the people and promote democratic principles.
2. Election by Congress: Another proposal suggested that the President be elected by Congress. This
approach was favored by delegates who believed in the importance of having a strong legislative branch
and saw Congress as best equipped to choose the nation's leader.
3. Selection by State Legislatures: A third proposal involved having state legislatures choose the President.
This idea reflected the prevailing sentiment at the time that the states should play a significant role in the
federal government's operations.
However, each of these proposals faced criticism and concerns from different factions at the convention.
Delegates from smaller states worried about being overshadowed by larger states in a direct popular vote
system. Others expressed fears of political intrigue and corruption if Congress were given the power to
elect the President. Additionally, some delegates questioned the wisdom of having state legislatures
directly involved in the selection process.
To reconcile these differing viewpoints and reach a compromise, the framers settled on the creation of the
Electoral College:
 Each state would appoint a number of electors equal to its total representation in Congress (senators plus
representatives).
 These electors would then meet in their respective states and cast their votes for President and Vice
President.
 The candidate receiving a majority of electoral votes would become President, while the runner-up would
become Vice President.
The Electoral College system represented a compromise between those who favored direct democracy
and those who advocated for a more indirect method of election. It aimed to balance the interests of both
small and large states, preserve federalism, and provide a mechanism for selecting the nation's chief
executive that satisfied the concerns of various factions present at the Constitutional Convention.
 Why did the Founding Fathers establish the Electoral College.

 Balancing State and Federal Interests: The Founding Fathers sought to strike a delicate
balance between the interests of the individual states and the federal government. They
recognized that the new nation was composed of states with diverse populations, economies, and
cultures. Therefore, they aimed to create a system that would ensure that both small and large
states had a voice in electing the President.
 Avoiding Tyranny of the Majority: Many of the Founding Fathers were wary of direct
democracy and the potential for tyranny of the majority, where a simple majority could oppress
minority interests. They were concerned that a direct popular vote for the President could lead to
the domination of heavily populated states over smaller ones. By establishing the Electoral
College, they introduced a layer of indirect election, allowing for a system that balanced the
interests of different regions and prevented the concentration of power in one area.
 Protecting Against Unqualified Candidates: The Founding Fathers were also concerned about
the possibility of unqualified or unfit candidates gaining the presidency. They believed that the
Electoral College could serve as a check on the popular will, allowing a body of electors to
deliberate and choose a candidate deemed most suitable for the office. This indirect selection
process was seen as a safeguard against the potential dangers of direct democracy.
 Preserving Federalism: Federalism, the division of power between the national government
and the states, was a fundamental principle guiding the structure of the new republic. The
Electoral College reflected this federalist approach by incorporating the role of state
governments in the presidential election process. Each state was granted a certain number of
electors equal to its representation in Congress, reinforcing the states' role as integral
components of the federal system.
The Electoral College Process
1. Election Day:
On Election Day, voters cast their ballots for their preferred presidential candidate. On
Election Day in the United States, which typically falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of presidential election years, eligible voters across the country participate in the process of
selecting the President of the United States. Here's an explanation of how this process works:
1. Voter Registration: Before Election Day, eligible citizens must register to vote. Voter registration
requirements vary by state but generally involve providing proof of identity and residency. Once
registered, voters are assigned to a specific polling location where they can cast their ballots on Election
Day.
2. Ballot Casting: On Election Day, voters go to their designated polling places to cast their ballots. They
are typically provided with a paper ballot or directed to electronic voting machines, depending on the
practices of their state or jurisdiction.
3. Selection of Presidential Candidate: Voters have the opportunity to choose their preferred presidential
candidate from the list of candidates who have qualified to appear on the ballot in their state. This
selection is usually made by marking the corresponding box or pressing a button next to the candidate's
name.
4. Submitting the Ballot: After marking their choices, voters submit their completed ballots to election
officials. In some cases, voters may also have the option to submit mail-in or absentee ballots before
Election Day, depending on state laws and regulations.
5. Counting of Ballots: Once the polls close, election officials begin the process of counting the ballots.
This may involve tallying paper ballots by hand or tabulating electronic votes. The results are compiled
and reported by each state's election authorities.
6. Reporting the Results: As the ballot counting process progresses, the results are reported to the public
through various channels, including news organizations, government websites, and official election
reporting systems. These results provide a snapshot of how voters in each state have chosen their
preferred presidential candidate.

2. State-by-State Allocation:
 Each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes based on its
representation in Congress (senators + representatives).
3. Electoral College Vote:
 In December following the election, electors meet in their respective states to
cast their votes for President and Vice President.
 The candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) wins
the presidency.
4. Congressional Confirmation:
 Congress meets in January to count the electoral votes and confirm the winner.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Electoral College:

 Strengths:
 Protects the interests of smaller states.
 Provides a clear and decisive outcome in most cases.
 Maintains stability in the presidential election process.
 Weaknesses:
 Can result in the winner of the popular vote losing the election (as seen in some
instances throughout history).
 Encourages candidates to focus on swing states while neglecting others.
 Creates the potential for faithless electors.
Assignment:
 Write a short essay discussing whether they believe the Electoral College should be
retained, reformed, or abolished, providing reasons to support their argument.

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Title: Understanding the Electoral College: An Insight into the American Electoral

The Origins of the Electoral College

 Why did the Founding Fathers establish the Electoral College.

The Electoral College Process

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Electoral College:

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