Aim:Aim: To what extent does the To what extent does the electoral college meet the electoral college meet the

objectives envisioned by the objectives envisioned by the Framers of the Constitution?Framers of the Constitution?

The Electoral CollegeThe Electoral College

"Each state shall appoint, in such manner "Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the to which the State may be entitled in the Congress." Congress."

Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution

Number of Electoral VotesNumber of Electoral Votes

# of Representatives in the House + # of Senators # of Representatives in the House + # of Senators in the Senatein the Senate

For Example:For Example:– New York has 29 members in the House of New York has 29 members in the House of

Representatives, and 2 Senators (as do all states). Representatives, and 2 Senators (as do all states).

2929

+ 2 + 2

31 Electoral Votes 31 Electoral Votes

How Electors Are ChosenHow Electors Are ChosenIn each state, the political party chooses a In each state, the political party chooses a number of electors equal to that state’s number number of electors equal to that state’s number of electoral votes.of electoral votes.

For Example:For Example:

In New York State:In New York State:The Democrats choose 31 Electors who promise The Democrats choose 31 Electors who promise to vote for the Democratic candidateto vote for the Democratic candidateThe Republicans choose 31 Electors who The Republicans choose 31 Electors who promise to vote for the Republican candidatepromise to vote for the Republican candidateThe Libertarian Party chooses 31 Electors who The Libertarian Party chooses 31 Electors who promise to vote for the Libertarian candidatepromise to vote for the Libertarian candidate

And so on…And so on…

Electoral College MapElectoral College Map

Therefore:Therefore:

When you vote on Election Day, you are not voting for the When you vote on Election Day, you are not voting for the Presidential candidatePresidential candidateYou are voting for the political party who has nominated You are voting for the political party who has nominated the Candidate that you want to be President.the Candidate that you want to be President.

For Example:For Example:New York has 11,200,000 registered votersNew York has 11,200,000 registered voters

In the 2000 Election:In the 2000 Election:Democratic PartyDemocratic Party: Al Gore: : Al Gore: 4,107,697 4,107,697 Republican PartyRepublican Party: George W. Bush: : George W. Bush: 2,403,374 2,403,374 Green PartyGreen Party: Ralph Nader: : Ralph Nader: 244,030 244,030 Reform PartyReform Party: Pat Buchanan: : Pat Buchanan: 31,599 31,599

Thus:Thus:

The Democrats received the majority of the The Democrats received the majority of the popular vote in New Yorkpopular vote in New York– The 33 Electors* chosen by the Democratic Party in The 33 Electors* chosen by the Democratic Party in

New York cast their ballots for Al Gore.New York cast their ballots for Al Gore.– It works like this in each state.It works like this in each state.

*The Number of Electoral Votes in New York has changed to 31*The Number of Electoral Votes in New York has changed to 31

How to Win:How to Win:

To win the election, a candidate must To win the election, a candidate must receive a majority of the Electoral Vote.receive a majority of the Electoral Vote.– Currently: 270 of the 538 total Electoral Votes.Currently: 270 of the 538 total Electoral Votes.

If no one candidate wins a majority (i.e. If no one candidate wins a majority (i.e. there are too many candidates that split there are too many candidates that split the vote), or if there is a tie, the vote goes the vote), or if there is a tie, the vote goes to the House of Representatives, who will to the House of Representatives, who will then elect the President.then elect the President.

What did the Framers intend?What did the Framers intend?

When the Constitution was established, The When the Constitution was established, The Framers felt that choosing the President by Framers felt that choosing the President by popular vote would cause too much controversypopular vote would cause too much controversy– The people were too widely scattered to make informed The people were too widely scattered to make informed

decisionsdecisions– The people would be loyal to local interests, and would The people would be loyal to local interests, and would

not make decisions in the best interests of the nationnot make decisions in the best interests of the nation– In short, the Framers did not trust the people to vote In short, the Framers did not trust the people to vote

directly for Presidentdirectly for President

The Framers intended that the electors from each The Framers intended that the electors from each state would be “the most enlightened and state would be “the most enlightened and respectable citizens,” and they would act as “free respectable citizens,” and they would act as “free agents.”agents.”

Faithless Electors:Faithless Electors:

Throughout American History, there have Throughout American History, there have been 156 “Faithless Electors” - Electors been 156 “Faithless Electors” - Electors who did not vote for whom they were who did not vote for whom they were supposed tosupposed to

Popular Vote vs. Electoral VotePopular Vote vs. Electoral VoteIt is possible for a candidate to receive a majority of the It is possible for a candidate to receive a majority of the popular vote and still lose the election in the Electoral popular vote and still lose the election in the Electoral College.College.Densely populated states may swing the popular vote in Densely populated states may swing the popular vote in favor of the candidate who does not receive an electoral favor of the candidate who does not receive an electoral majority.majority.

For Example:For Example:California has a population of 36,132,147 and 55 Electoral California has a population of 36,132,147 and 55 Electoral

Votes.Votes. If a candidate receives a majority of the votes in California, If a candidate receives a majority of the votes in California,

they get 55 Electoral Votes, regardless of how many they get 55 Electoral Votes, regardless of how many people actually voted.people actually voted.

If 20,000,000 people in California all vote for one If 20,000,000 people in California all vote for one candidate, he gets 55 Electoral Votescandidate, he gets 55 Electoral Votes

If 10,000,000 people in California all vote for one If 10,000,000 people in California all vote for one candidate, he gets 55 Electoral votes candidate, he gets 55 Electoral votes

U.S. Population Density

2000 Election By State

2012 Election by State

Questions:Questions:

What didn’t the Framers envision What didn’t the Framers envision happening soon after George Washington happening soon after George Washington left office?left office?

Do you feel that the Electoral College is Do you feel that the Electoral College is Democratic? Why or why not?Democratic? Why or why not?

What advantages can you see to having What advantages can you see to having the Electoral College?the Electoral College?

Political Parties Complicate the Political Parties Complicate the Issue:Issue:

Originally, each elector was to cast two Originally, each elector was to cast two ballots for President.ballots for President.

The candidate who came in first would be The candidate who came in first would be President, the candidate who came in President, the candidate who came in second would be Vice President.second would be Vice President.

The Election of 1796The Election of 1796

John Adams (Federalist Party) was John Adams (Federalist Party) was elected President, and his arch rival elected President, and his arch rival Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican Party) was elected Vice Republican Party) was elected Vice President.President.

The Election of 1800The Election of 1800

Things got worse.Things got worse.– The Electors voted for their party’s nominees The Electors voted for their party’s nominees

for President and Vice President, but each vote for President and Vice President, but each vote counted as a vote for Presidentcounted as a vote for President

– Thus, Thomas Jefferson, the Presidential Thus, Thomas Jefferson, the Presidential Candidate, and Aaron Burr, Jefferson’s running Candidate, and Aaron Burr, Jefferson’s running mate, received a tie in the Electoral College.mate, received a tie in the Electoral College.

– The House of Representatives soon after The House of Representatives soon after elected Jefferson as President and Burr as Vice elected Jefferson as President and Burr as Vice PresidentPresident

More ControversiesMore Controversies

The 12The 12thth Amendment fixed the problems of Amendment fixed the problems of the previous elections by requiring that the previous elections by requiring that electors vote specifically for President and electors vote specifically for President and Vice President.Vice President.

This did not eliminate the possibility of This did not eliminate the possibility of Electoral controversies.Electoral controversies.

The Election of 1824:The Election of 1824:

The contenders were Andrew Jackson and John The contenders were Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams, plus two other candidates. Quincy Adams, plus two other candidates. – No single candidate received a majority in the No single candidate received a majority in the

Electoral College, although Jackson won the popular Electoral College, although Jackson won the popular vote.vote.

– The election went to the House of Representatives, The election went to the House of Representatives, who elected John Quincy Adams.who elected John Quincy Adams.

– Adams then named Henry Clay, the Speaker of the Adams then named Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House, as Secretary of State.House, as Secretary of State.

– Jackson supporters complained of a “corrupt bargain.”Jackson supporters complained of a “corrupt bargain.”– Jackson was elected President in 1828 and 1832.Jackson was elected President in 1828 and 1832.

Election of 1860:Election of 1860:

Abraham Lincoln won the election with a clear Abraham Lincoln won the election with a clear majority of 180 electoral votes. majority of 180 electoral votes.

The nearest candidate, John Breckenridge won The nearest candidate, John Breckenridge won 72 electoral votes. 72 electoral votes.

In third came, John Bell's Constitutional Union In third came, John Bell's Constitutional Union party with 39 votes. party with 39 votes.

Stephen Douglas came in fourth with 12 Stephen Douglas came in fourth with 12 electoral votes. electoral votes.

South Carolina immediately seceded upon South Carolina immediately seceded upon Lincoln's victory.Lincoln's victory.– No Southern States had voted for Lincoln, and they No Southern States had voted for Lincoln, and they

therefore did not consider him their President.therefore did not consider him their President.

The Election of 1876The Election of 1876After the Civil War, the Southern States were still under After the Civil War, the Southern States were still under military occupation by the Union during Reconstruction.military occupation by the Union during Reconstruction.The election was between Rutherford B. Hayes (R) and The election was between Rutherford B. Hayes (R) and Samuel J. Tilden (D).Samuel J. Tilden (D).There were disputed electoral returns from several There were disputed electoral returns from several Southern States.Southern States.Tilden had 184 of the 185 Electoral votes needed, and a Tilden had 184 of the 185 Electoral votes needed, and a majority of the popular vote.majority of the popular vote. the election was not won until the Southern returns the election was not won until the Southern returns could be figured out. could be figured out. The Electoral Count Act of 1877 created a special panel The Electoral Count Act of 1877 created a special panel to sort out the controversyto sort out the controversyHayes was elected President in return for removing Hayes was elected President in return for removing Union troops from the Southern StatesUnion troops from the Southern StatesReconstruction was officially ended here, and the freed Reconstruction was officially ended here, and the freed slaves were left to the mercy of Southern racists. slaves were left to the mercy of Southern racists.

The Election of 1888:The Election of 1888:

Benjamin Harrison won 233 Electoral VotesBenjamin Harrison won 233 Electoral Votes

Grover Cleveland received 168 Electoral Grover Cleveland received 168 Electoral VotesVotes

In the popular vote, Cleveland had 5, 537, 857 In the popular vote, Cleveland had 5, 537, 857 to Harrison’s 5, 447, 129.to Harrison’s 5, 447, 129.

The Election of 2000The Election of 2000

Al Gore received a majority of the popular Al Gore received a majority of the popular vote with 51,003,926vote with 51,003,926

George W. Bush received 50,460,110 George W. Bush received 50,460,110 popular votes.popular votes.

However, after contested results in However, after contested results in Florida, and various ballot controversies, Florida, and various ballot controversies, George W. Bush was elected President George W. Bush was elected President with 271 Electoral votes to Gore’s 266. with 271 Electoral votes to Gore’s 266.

In Florida:In Florida:

The 25 Electoral Votes in Florida were The 25 Electoral Votes in Florida were needed by each candidate to win the needed by each candidate to win the election.election.

If Gore won Florida, he would win the If Gore won Florida, he would win the electionelection

If Bush won Florida, he would win the If Bush won Florida, he would win the electionelection

The vote in Florida was too close to call.The vote in Florida was too close to call.

That didn’t stop the Media:That didn’t stop the Media:In an effort to be the first to report, the In an effort to be the first to report, the news media prematurely named both news media prematurely named both Bush and Gore as winners at different Bush and Gore as winners at different times.times.

The news media also incorrectly reported The news media also incorrectly reported that the polls in Florida were closed, when that the polls in Florida were closed, when they were still open.they were still open.

Ballot Controversies:Ballot Controversies:

Photo of Palm Beach BallotPhoto of Palm Beach Ballot

Punch Card BallotsPunch Card Ballots

““Hanging Chad” Were Often Hanging Chad” Were Often DisqualifiedDisqualified

Examining The Hanging ChadExamining The Hanging Chad

Overvotes:Overvotes:

Voter Scrubbing:Voter Scrubbing:

Names of eligible voters were “scrubbed” or Names of eligible voters were “scrubbed” or eliminated from voter lists because they were eliminated from voter lists because they were determined to be convicted felons.determined to be convicted felons.

In 1999, the rules for eliminating convicted In 1999, the rules for eliminating convicted felons from voter lists were relaxed, making it felons from voter lists were relaxed, making it easier to eliminate names that closely resembled easier to eliminate names that closely resembled the names of convicted felons.the names of convicted felons.

Many minority voters were disenfranchised as a Many minority voters were disenfranchised as a result of this processresult of this process

Jeb BushJeb BushAs Governor of Florida, many have As Governor of Florida, many have accused George W. Bush’s brother Jeb, of accused George W. Bush’s brother Jeb, of using his influence to give Bush an using his influence to give Bush an advantage in Florida.advantage in Florida.

Florida Recount:Florida Recount:

Gore requested a manual recount in four Gore requested a manual recount in four counties in Florida. counties in Florida.

The recount was controversial because of the The recount was controversial because of the length of time it would take to complete it, as length of time it would take to complete it, as well as which votes should be counted in certain well as which votes should be counted in certain circumstances (hanging chad, overvotes).circumstances (hanging chad, overvotes).

In the Supreme Court case In the Supreme Court case Bush v. GoreBush v. Gore (2000) (2000) – In a vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court halted the – In a vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court halted the Florida recount, with Bush in a 537 vote lead.Florida recount, with Bush in a 537 vote lead.

The 5 conservative justices sided with Bush, The 5 conservative justices sided with Bush, while the 4 liberal justices sided with Gore.while the 4 liberal justices sided with Gore.People argued that the election was in effect People argued that the election was in effect decided by the Supreme Court, and not by the decided by the Supreme Court, and not by the peoplepeople

The Election Ends:The Election Ends:

Bush received Florida’s 25 Electoral Bush received Florida’s 25 Electoral Votes, and was declared the winner.Votes, and was declared the winner.

Al Gore went on to Al Gore went on to grow a beard and grow a beard and focus on global focus on global warming.warming.

He later won an He later won an Academy Award for a Academy Award for a PowerPoint PowerPoint presentation on the presentation on the subject.subject.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

What should have been done in the 2000 What should have been done in the 2000 Election? Come up with a solution and Election? Come up with a solution and predict an outcome.predict an outcome.

Which was the worst incident of election Which was the worst incident of election controversy in American History? Explain.controversy in American History? Explain.

What can be done to prevent election What can be done to prevent election controversies in the future?controversies in the future?