Understanding the American Election System

Introduction

• The episode begins with a satirical conversation about choosing between red and blue, symbolizing the Republican and Democratic parties respectively.
• The lecturer, Abo Hmeed, aims to explain the complexities of the American electoral system.

Key Points

2016 Presidential Elections

• Hillary Clinton received 66 million votes while Donald Trump received 63 million votes.
• Despite winning the popular vote, Clinton lost due to the Electoral College system which awarded Trump the presidency.

Historical Precedents

• Similar scenarios in 1876, 1888, and 2000 where popular vote winners lost the presidency.
• The U.S. Constitution doesn't allow voters to directly elect the President.
• The Electoral College, consisting of 538 delegates, determines the election outcome.

Formation of the Electoral College

• Stemming from the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
• Political compromise led to a two-chamber Congress: House of Representatives and the Senate.
• Electoral College designed to balance state and federal powers, avoiding direct democracy.

Representation Disputes

• Initially, population determined the number of representatives but excluded enslaved people.
• The 'Three-fifths Compromise' counted each slave as three-fifths of a person.

Voting Rights Evolution

• Initially, only free white men could vote.
• 14th Amendment (1868) granted citizenship and voting rights to former slaves, though true voting rights came much later.
• Women's suffrage achieved in 1920 via the 19th Amendment.
• Continued obstacles for black voters until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Present Electoral College System

• Electoral College vote distribution based on state populations and fixed Senate representation.
• Winner-take-all system in most states; delegates vote according to state popular vote.
• Concept of 'Faithless Electors' where some delegates don't follow the popular vote.

Swing States

• Swing states like Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan often determine election outcomes.
• Campaigns focus heavily on these states due to their unpredictable voting patterns.

Nomination Process

• Requirement to be born in the U.S., at least 35 years old, among other criteria.
• Expensive campaigns make it crucial to belong to either the Democratic or Republican parties, aided by Super PACs.

Primary Elections

• Each party holds primaries to select their candidate for the general election.
• States differ in how they conduct primaries (open vs. closed systems).
• Early states (Iowa, New Hampshire) play a critical role in momentum.

Current Electoral Issues

• General dissatisfaction with the Electoral College as outdated and undemocratic.
• Calls for direct popular vote remain unheeded, primarily due to political complications.
• Small states and swing states hold disproportionate power in deciding elections.

Final Thoughts

• The American election system, despite its flaws, has helped maintain a stable democracy for over two centuries.