Ari Gilder, 3-201L
Homework – The
Electoral College
- Each
state has electors based on the number of Senators (2) and the number of
Representatives in the House (based on population).
- The
individual political parties of each state choose a list of people who
have pledged to vote for their candidate. Third-parties and independent
candidates designate their own electors.
- Members
of Congress cannot serve as electors in order to maintain a fair balance
between the power of the legislative and executive branches.
- The
electors are chosen in order to represent the majority vote of the people
in that state in choosing the president.
- Candidate
A takes all 33 votes (winner takes all).
- The
electors vote on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December in
their state capitals.
- A
candidate needs 51% (actually, 50% + 1 is more accurate) in order to win
the presidency. If no one receives that percentage, the House of
Representatives choose the president from the top 3 candidates, with each
state voting only once.