Notes on the Electoral College

Introduction

• The Electoral College is a group appointed by each state to formally elect the President and Vice President of the U.S.

Constitution Overview

• Defined in Article Two, Section One, Clause Two of the U.S. Constitution.
• Total of 538 electors since 1964:
  • 435 representatives + 100 senators + 3 electors from the District of Columbia.

Electoral Vote Distribution

• States receive electors based on population size (determined by the census every 10 years).
• Example: California has 55 electoral votes. Winning state means candidate receives all electoral votes.
  • Candidates focus on high electoral vote states like Texas, Florida, and New York (96 electoral votes combined).

Voting Dynamics

• Candidates can win the presidency without winning the popular vote (e.g., 2000 election).
• A candidate may win electoral votes by narrow margins while losing the popular vote.
  • Losing candidate can receive over 50% of national votes but fail to secure 270 electoral votes.

Criticisms of the Electoral College

• Unfair advantage to states with many electoral votes.
  • Possible for a candidate to win without any votes in 39 states by focusing on populous states.
• Supports of the Electoral College argue it protects smaller states (e.g., Rhode Island, Vermont).
  • Candidates must consider every electoral vote, especially in close elections.

Safe and Swing States

• Safe States: Historically vote for one party (e.g., Oregon, Maryland for Democrats; Mississippi, Alabama for Republicans).
• Swing States: Alternating support for parties (e.g., Ohio and Florida).
  • These states are critical in elections and have varied electoral outcomes.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding the Electoral College and its dynamics during elections.
• Key questions for voters:
  • Is your state a safe or swing state?
  • Is the population in your state increasing or decreasing?
• Remember the "magic number" of 270 electoral votes on election night.