Glossary

4.3 Electoral College System

4 min read•august 7, 2024

The system is a unique feature of American presidential elections. It allocates to states based on their congressional representation, with most states using a approach. This system can lead to outcomes where a candidate wins the presidency without the .

The Electoral College has sparked debates about its fairness and effectiveness. Critics argue it gives too much power to swing states, while supporters say it protects smaller states' interests. Reform proposals include the and proportional allocation of electoral votes within states.

Allocation of Electoral Votes

Electoral Vote Distribution

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  • Each state receives a number of electoral votes equal to its total number of representatives in Congress (House seats plus Senate seats)
  • Washington D.C. is allocated 3 electoral votes despite not having voting representation in Congress ()
  • California has the most electoral votes with 54 while several states have the minimum of 3 (Alaska, Delaware, D.C., Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming)
  • The total number of electoral votes is 538 with 435 for the House, 100 for the Senate, and 3 for D.C.

Winner-Take-All System

  • 48 states and D.C. use a winner-take-all method where the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state receives all of its electoral votes
  • Only Maine and Nebraska use a district system where electoral votes can be split based on congressional district popular vote winners in addition to the statewide popular vote winner receiving 2 votes
  • Winning the Electoral College requires a majority of electoral votes which is at least 270 out of 538
  • A candidate can win the Electoral College without winning the national popular vote (happened in 1876, 1888, 2000, 2016)
  • States that consistently vote for the Democratic candidate in recent elections are considered "blue states" (California, New York, Illinois)
  • States that consistently vote for the Republican candidate in recent elections are considered "red states" (Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma)
  • Swing states are competitive states that could go to either party and are heavily focused on in campaigns (Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin)
  • Analyzing past electoral maps and state polling helps campaigns determine where to allocate resources

Controversies and Debates

Faithless Electors

  • Electors are expected to vote for the candidate that wins their state's popular vote, but occasionally "faithless electors" vote differently
  • Some states have laws that punish or replace faithless electors, but constitutionality is debated
  • 2016 had 7 faithless electors which was the most since 1872 (Hawaii, Texas, Washington)
  • Faithless electors have never altered the outcome of a presidential election
  • An agreement between states to award all their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote
  • Compact only takes effect if states totaling at least 270 electoral votes join
  • 15 states and D.C. have joined so far totaling 196 electoral votes (California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Washington)
  • Advocates argue it would make every vote equal while critics say it subverts the Constitution and federalism

Electoral College Reform Debates

  • Abolishing the Electoral College would require a constitutional amendment and is unlikely to pass
  • Proportional allocation of each state's electoral votes based on popular vote shares in that state is another proposed reform
  • Opponents of the current system argue that it gives disproportionate power to swing states and allows popular vote losers to win
  • Supporters argue the Electoral College protects the interests of smaller states and prevents tyranny of the majority

Key Concepts

Constitutional Basis for the Electoral College

  • Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution established the Electoral College system for electing the president
  • The modified the Electoral College to have separate ballots for president and vice president
  • Electors are appointed by each state "in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct"
  • If no candidate reaches 270 electoral votes, the House chooses the president and the Senate chooses the vice president (contingent election)

Swing States and Campaign Strategy

  • Swing states are battleground states that are closely divided between the parties and could go either way (Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona)
  • Safe states are noncompetitive states that reliably vote for one party (California for Democrats, Oklahoma for Republicans)
  • Campaigns focus their advertising, voter outreach, and candidate visits on swing states to tip them in their favor
  • Swing states change over time as demographics and party coalitions shift (Virginia moving left, Ohio moving right)

Key Terms to Review (18)

12th Amendment: The 12th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1804, outlines the procedures for electing the President and Vice President. It established the Electoral College system, ensuring that electors cast separate votes for each office, which aimed to prevent complications that arose from earlier elections where the candidate with the most votes became President and the runner-up became Vice President.
23rd Amendment: The 23rd Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1961, grants residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections. This amendment was significant as it allowed citizens living in the nation's capital to participate in the electoral process, addressing a long-standing issue of representation for D.C. residents who were previously denied this basic democratic right.
Abolition of the Electoral College: The abolition of the Electoral College refers to the movement to eliminate the system established by the U.S. Constitution for electing the president and vice president. This system involves electors from each state casting votes based on the outcome of their state's popular vote. Critics argue that the Electoral College undermines the principle of one-person, one-vote and can lead to situations where the candidate who wins the popular vote does not become president, raising questions about democratic legitimacy.
Alexander Hamilton: Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father of the United States, serving as the first Secretary of the Treasury and playing a pivotal role in shaping the nation's financial system. He was a strong advocate for a powerful central government, which influenced the creation of the Electoral College and established the Cabinet as a key component of executive governance.
Apportionment: Apportionment is the process of distributing political representation based on population figures. This concept is crucial in determining how many representatives each state gets in the House of Representatives, impacting the Electoral College and the overall political landscape of the United States.
Bush v. Gore: Bush v. Gore was a landmark Supreme Court case decided on December 12, 2000, which effectively resolved the disputed 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The case centered around the Florida recount process and the Court's decision ultimately determined that the recount violated the Equal Protection Clause, thus awarding Florida's electoral votes to Bush and sealing his presidency. This case highlights the complexities of the Electoral College system and showcases the significant influence of judicial appointments in shaping electoral outcomes.
Campaigning: Campaigning refers to the organized effort by candidates to promote themselves and their platforms to voters in order to win an election. It involves a range of activities, including fundraising, advertising, public speaking, and grassroots mobilization, all aimed at gaining support and votes. Effective campaigning is crucial for candidates, especially within the context of the Electoral College system, as it helps them target key states and demographics to secure the necessary electoral votes for victory.
Election of 1800: The election of 1800 was a pivotal presidential election in the United States that resulted in the first peaceful transfer of power between rival political parties, marking a significant moment in American political history. This election showcased the effectiveness and the contentiousness of the Electoral College system, as Thomas Jefferson defeated incumbent President John Adams in a tightly contested race. The election is often referred to as the 'Revolution of 1800' because it represented a shift from Federalist to Democratic-Republican control and set important precedents for future electoral processes.
Electoral College: The Electoral College is a constitutional mechanism established for the election of the President and Vice President of the United States, consisting of a body of electors chosen by each state. This system reflects the federal structure of the U.S. government, where states play a crucial role in presidential elections, ultimately determining how votes translate into electoral votes and influencing the election outcome.
Electoral Votes: Electoral votes are the votes cast by members of the Electoral College, which is the body responsible for formally electing the President and Vice President of the United States. Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress, which is determined by the total number of its Senators and Representatives. The Electoral College system aims to balance the influence of populous states with less populous ones in presidential elections.
Faithless elector: A faithless elector is a member of the Electoral College who does not cast their vote for the candidate they pledged to support, breaking away from their party or state’s choice. This phenomenon can impact the outcome of presidential elections, challenging the concept of a representative democracy and raising questions about the reliability of the Electoral College system. Faithless electors highlight potential weaknesses in how electoral votes are assigned and emphasize the tension between state laws and individual judgment in the election process.
Malapportionment: Malapportionment refers to the unequal representation of voters in legislative districts, where some districts have significantly more or fewer voters than others, leading to an imbalance in political power. This situation can occur due to outdated district boundaries or deliberate manipulation, resulting in certain groups having a disproportionate influence in elections, particularly in the context of the Electoral College system.
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact: The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among a group of U.S. states and the District of Columbia to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the overall national popular vote in a presidential election. This compact aims to ensure that the candidate receiving the most votes nationwide becomes president, effectively bypassing the traditional Electoral College system, which can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote.
Popular Vote: The popular vote refers to the total number of votes cast by the general public in an election, reflecting the direct preference of the electorate. This concept is crucial as it provides a measure of democratic legitimacy, indicating how many citizens support a particular candidate or policy. However, in the context of the presidential election process, the popular vote does not always determine the outcome due to the existence of the Electoral College, which ultimately decides the winner of the presidency.
Robert's Rules: Robert's Rules refers to a set of parliamentary procedures designed to facilitate orderly and efficient meetings, ensuring that everyone has a chance to speak and that decisions are made democratically. These rules are used in various organizations, including legislative bodies and committees, to guide the conduct of meetings, manage discussions, and clarify the voting process.
Swing state: A swing state, also known as a battleground state, is a state in the U.S. where both major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, making it a key focus during elections. These states can switch their allegiance from one election to the next, which means they can play a crucial role in determining the outcome of presidential races. Swing states often receive significant attention from candidates and parties due to their potential to influence the overall results in the Electoral College system.
Target states: Target states refer to specific states that political campaigns focus on to maximize their chances of winning electoral votes during a presidential election. These states often have a mix of demographic groups and voting behaviors that make them competitive, making them essential for candidates to prioritize in their campaigning efforts. By concentrating resources and strategies in target states, campaigns can effectively influence voter turnout and sway undecided voters.
Winner-take-all: Winner-take-all is an electoral system where the candidate who receives the most votes in a given electoral district secures all of that district's electoral votes. This system tends to amplify the influence of larger parties and can lead to significant disparities between the popular vote and the electoral vote outcome, creating a landscape where minor parties struggle for representation.
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