The
Context
When American voters go to the polls to vote for president, many believe that they are
participating in a direct election of the president. Technically, this is not the case, due to the
existence of the Electoral College, an institution created by the Founding Fathers in the 18th
century.
The Electoral College is the name given to a group of electors who are
nominated by political activists and party members within the states. On election day these
electors, pledged to one or another candidate, are popularly elected. In December, following the
presidential vote, the electors meet in their respective state capitals and cast ballots for
president and vice president. To be elected, a president requires 270 electoral votes.
In recent history, the electors have never cast their ballots against the winner of the popular
vote. For all intents and purposes, the Electoral College vote, which for technical reasons is
weighted in favor of whoever wins the popular election, increases the apparent majority of the
winning candidate and lends legitimacy to the popular choice. It is still possible, however, that in
a close race or a multiparty race the Electoral College might not cast 270 votes in favor of any
candidate in that event, the House of Representatives would choose the next
president.
The Electoral College system was established in Article 2, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution.
While it has been the subject of mild controversy in recent years, it is also seen as a stabilizing
force in the electoral system.
HOW THE
ELECTORAL COLLEGE WORKS TODAY
Registered voters
in the 50 states and the District of Columbia cast ballots for president and vice president on the
first Tuesday following the first Monday in November in a presidential election year.
The candidates
who win the popular vote within the state usually receive all the states electoral votes.
(Technically, all the electors pledged to those candidates are elected.)
A states
number of electors equals the number of senators and representatives from that state. The
District of Columbia, which has no voting representation in Congress, has three electoral
votes.
The electors meet
and officially vote for president and vice president on the first Monday following the second
Wednesday in December in a presidential election year. A majority of the vote is required for a
candidate to be elected. Since there are 538 electors, a minimum of 270 is necessary to win the
electoral college.
If no candidate for
president receives a majority of the electoral votes, the House of Representatives must
determine the winner from among the top three vote-getters in the Electoral College. In doing
so, members of the House of Representatives vote by states, with each state delegation
casting one vote.
If no candidate for
vice president receives a majority of the electoral vote, the Senate must determine the winner
from among the top two vote-getters in the Electoral College.
The president and vice president take their oath and assume office on the next January 20,
following the election.
For more information on the Electoral College and how it works, please go to the National
Archives' site on Frequently Asked
Questions on the Electoral College.
VOTING STRENGTH BY STATE
Alabama 9
Alaska 3
Arizona 8
Arkansas 6
California 54
Colorado 8
Connecticut 8
Delaware 3
District of Columbia 3
Florida 25
Georgia 13
Hawaii 4
Idaho 4
Illinois 22
Indiana 12
Iowa 7
Kansas 6
Kentucky 8
Louisiana 9
Maine 4
Maryland 10
Massachusetts 12
Michigan 18
Minnesota 10
Mississippi 7
Missouri 11
Montana 3
Nebraska 5
Nevada 4
New Hampshire 4
New Jersey 15
New Mexico 5
New York 33
North Carolina 14
North Dakota 3
Ohio 21
Oklahoma 8
Oregon 7
Pennsylvania 23
Rhode Island 4
South Carolina 8
South Dakota 3
Tennessee 11
Texas 32
Utah 5
Vermont 3
Virginia 13
Washington 11
West Virginia 5
Wisconsin 11
Wyoming 3
Total 538
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THE CONTEXT
Special Issue: Issues of Democracy, October 2000 |
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