The Electoral College is the group of electors who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. It is a process established in the U.S. Constitution, where each state is allocated a number of electors based on its representation in Congress, and voters in each state choose which candidate will receive that state's electoral votes.
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The number of electors each state receives is equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress.
A candidate needs to win the popular vote in a state to receive that state's electoral votes, with the exception of Maine and Nebraska which use a district-based system.
The Electoral College system has been criticized for potentially allowing a candidate to win the presidency without winning the national popular vote.
Swing states play a crucial role in presidential elections, as candidates focus their resources and attention on these competitive states.
Gerrymandering can impact the distribution of electoral votes, as the redrawing of district boundaries can give one party an advantage.
Review Questions
Explain the role of the Electoral College in the U.S. presidential election process.
The Electoral College is the system established in the U.S. Constitution for electing the President and Vice President. Each state is allocated a number of electors based on its representation in Congress, and voters in each state choose which candidate will receive that state's electoral votes. A candidate needs to win the popular vote in a state to receive its electoral votes, with the exception of Maine and Nebraska which use a district-based system. The Electoral College system has been criticized for potentially allowing a candidate to win the presidency without winning the national popular vote.
Describe the impact of swing states on presidential elections.
Swing states, where the vote is close enough that either major party has a reasonable chance of winning, play a crucial role in presidential elections. Candidates focus their resources and attention on these competitive states, as winning the popular vote in a swing state can result in a significant number of electoral votes. The disproportionate attention given to swing states has led to concerns about the fairness of the Electoral College system, as it can mean that the votes of citizens in non-competitive states have less influence on the final outcome.
Analyze how gerrymandering can impact the distribution of electoral votes.
Gerrymandering, the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or class over another, can have a significant impact on the distribution of electoral votes. By redrawing district lines, gerrymandering can give one party an advantage in winning the popular vote in a state, which in turn affects the allocation of that state's electoral votes. This can distort the will of the electorate and undermine the democratic principle of one person, one vote. Addressing gerrymandering is an important issue in ensuring the fairness and integrity of the Electoral College system.
Related terms
Popular Vote: The total number of votes cast by the electorate for each presidential candidate, regardless of the state-level results.
Swing States: States where the vote is close enough that either major party has a reasonable chance of winning, and thus receive disproportionate attention from campaigns.