Ari Gilder, 3-201L

 

Homework – The Electoral College

 

  1. Each state has electors based on the number of Senators (2) and the number of Representatives in the House (based on population).
  2. 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.
  3. Members of Congress cannot serve as electors in order to maintain a fair balance between the power of the legislative and executive branches.
  4. The electors are chosen in order to represent the majority vote of the people in that state in choosing the president.
  5. Candidate A takes all 33 votes (winner takes all).
  6. The electors vote on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December in their state capitals.
  7. 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.