Day 26
Political Participation: Electoral College
Learning Targets: Students will be able to....
- Explain how the winner-take-all allocation of votes per state (except Maine and Nebraska) under the setup of the Electoral College compared with the national popular vote for president raises questions about whether the Electoral College facilitates or impedes democracy.
- Describe how the process and outcomes in U.S. presidential elections are impacted by:
- Incumbency advantage phenomenon
- Congressional and State elections
- The Electoral College
- Open and closed primaries
- Caucuses
- Party conventions
On the board, you will find three hypothetical states. Three brave volunteers who wish to compete in the
Gerrymandering challenge should come to the front, read the instructions, and begin. The winner may choose
from a box of delectable treats.
Activity #1: State legislatures and presidential elections
- State legislators are given one incredibly important task to draw the maps that divide their states into congressional/electoral districts. This is based on the number of congressional districts awarded to a state following the census and reapportionment. For example, there are 8 congressional/electoral districts in Missouri. Every state receives an additional 2 votes to reflect the 2 senators each state has. Therefore, Missouri has 10 votes for president.
- These districts determine how the entire state casts its electoral votes for president in a "winner-take-all" system. So if more than 1/2 of the electoral votes go for one candidate, he/she gets all 10 of Missouri's votes. This is true for 48/50 US states.
- Once a candidate wins 270 electoral votes from across the US, then they win the presidency.
Gerrymandering challenge should come to the front, read the instructions, and begin. The winner may choose
from a box of delectable treats.
Activity #1: State legislatures and presidential elections
- State legislators are given one incredibly important task to draw the maps that divide their states into congressional/electoral districts. This is based on the number of congressional districts awarded to a state following the census and reapportionment. For example, there are 8 congressional/electoral districts in Missouri. Every state receives an additional 2 votes to reflect the 2 senators each state has. Therefore, Missouri has 10 votes for president.
- These districts determine how the entire state casts its electoral votes for president in a "winner-take-all" system. So if more than 1/2 of the electoral votes go for one candidate, he/she gets all 10 of Missouri's votes. This is true for 48/50 US states.
- Once a candidate wins 270 electoral votes from across the US, then they win the presidency.
Activity #2: Electoral College - N-50
LD - the process through which the President of the United States is elected to office. Electors, selected by the victorious party in each state, cast the electoral votes for that state. The number of electors allocated to each state is equal to its representation in Congress (Senators + Representatives)
- There are a total of 538 electors (including three votes for D.C.).
- A candidate must win at least 270.
- Most states operate in a "Winner-take-all" manner
- Faithless Electors?
- Swing States
SD -
Examples - Missouri has 8, Florida 29, California 55, Wyoming 3
Non-Examples - Congressional (mid-term) elections, Primary Elections
Related Terms - Representative Democracy, Federalist Papers (#10?), Reapportionment, Gerrymandering
While reading the articles linked below, answer the 3 questions listed down below.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/04/02/electoral-college-undemocratic-thats-why-works-column/3333826002/
https://www.stltoday.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/you-ll-hear-these-arguments-in-defense-of-the-electoral/article_079065f6-e0db-5607-acd5-8a1beaca6f9e.html
1. What are two most convincing argument for abolishing the Electoral College? What are the two best arguments for keeping it?
2. Does a Missouri voter benefit or suffer from the Electoral College system? Explain.
3. What would be the most difficult part of changing or abolishing the electoral college?
Close - Exit Ticket - TIP-C
