Embedded Files
Objective:
Objective:
- I will be able to explain how the Electoral College works and think through arguments about why it was adopted.
Some useful vocabulary:
Some useful vocabulary:
- Delegation: The group of Congressmen or electors that represents each state.
- Elector: The people who actually elect the President.
Watch: "Who are the Electors?" song by They Might Be Giants
Watch: "Who are the Electors?" song by They Might Be Giants
Lyrics can be found here.
Lyrics can be found here.
Directions: Choose your learning path today! In order to meet the objectives, you can watch or read. Whichever learning path you choose, check to make sure you know What the Electoral College is, workbook page 3.1.1.
Directions: Choose your learning path today! In order to meet the objectives, you can watch or read. Whichever learning path you choose, check to make sure you know What the Electoral College is, workbook page 3.1.1.
Watch "The Electoral College: Why Such a Big Debate?"
Watch "The Electoral College: Why Such a Big Debate?"
What if no candidate wins 270 electoral votes?
What if no candidate wins 270 electoral votes?
As we have seen, you have to win 270 electoral votes (out of a total of 538) to be elected president. But what happens if no candidate wins 270 votes? For example, what happens if both candidates win 269 votes? This last happened all the way back in 1824. Fortunately, the Constitution has an answer: If nobody wins a majority of the electoral votes, then "the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for president."
As we have seen, you have to win 270 electoral votes (out of a total of 538) to be elected president. But what happens if no candidate wins 270 votes? For example, what happens if both candidates win 269 votes? This last happened all the way back in 1824. Fortunately, the Constitution has an answer: If nobody wins a majority of the electoral votes, then "the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of them for president."
In other words, if there's a tie, the House of Representatives votes on the president. But there's a catch! The House of Representatives will vote by state delegations. That means even though Massachusetts has nine members of the House of Representatives, the entire state will only have one vote.
In other words, if there's a tie, the House of Representatives votes on the president. But there's a catch! The House of Representatives will vote by state delegations. That means even though Massachusetts has nine members of the House of Representatives, the entire state will only have one vote.
Read "The Electoral College, Explained" (CNN)
Read "The Electoral College, Explained" (CNN)
Debate: The Electoral College and Slavery
Debate: The Electoral College and Slavery
Directions:
Directions:
- Read these two articles debating the relationship between the Electoral College and slavery.
- Complete workbook page 3.1.2 to help process your ideas about Slavery and the Electoral College.
Point:
Point:
The Electoral College Exists to Protect Slavery
The Electoral College Exists to Protect Slavery
Amar EC.pdfCounterpoint:
Counterpoint:
The Electoral College does not Protect Slavery
The Electoral College does not Protect Slavery
Wilentz EC.pdfExplore: How to Win the Electoral College Vote
Explore: How to Win the Electoral College Vote
Directions: Explore the New York Times' electoral college simulation to better see how you win a majority in the electoral college. Click on "potential outcome" to see different scenarios.
Directions: Explore the New York Times' electoral college simulation to better see how you win a majority in the electoral college. Click on "potential outcome" to see different scenarios.
Dark red = Very likely to vote for the Republicans.
Dark red = Very likely to vote for the Republicans.
Light red = Somewhat likely to vote for the Republicans.
Light red = Somewhat likely to vote for the Republicans.
Yellow = Swing state, could vote either the Democrats or the Republicans.
Yellow = Swing state, could vote either the Democrats or the Republicans.
Dark blue = Very likely to vote for the Democrats.
Dark blue = Very likely to vote for the Democrats.
Light blue = Somewhat likely to vote for the Democrats
Light blue = Somewhat likely to vote for the Democrats
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