The Electoral ProcessEssential Question: How is the President of the United States

elected to that office?

The Electoral Process(Using Election 2008 as an example b/c no incumbent was running)

Many Democrats seek their party’s

nomination

Many Republicans seek their party’s

nomination

Campaigns & Debates

Campaigns & Debates

Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The

Ring”

The Electoral Process(Using Election 2008 as an Example)

Many Democrats seek their party’s

nomination

Many Republicans seek their party’s

nomination

Campaigns & Debates

Campaigns & Debates

Primaries & Caucuses

Primaries & Caucuses

Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The

Ring”

Primaries & caucuses held in each state

• Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008)

• New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008)

Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries always go first.

Is our current method of nomination fair?

A. B.

Primaries are similar to general elections. Voters go to a designated polling place and cast secret ballots. Most states have primaries.

Caucuses feature small gathering of voters that often debate each other. Voting is public, takes place as often as necessary, and you’re

allowed to switch sides. A final vote is then called and the results tallied. About a dozen states use this system.

What’s the difference between a primary and a caucus?

.

The Electoral Process(Using Election 2008 as an Example)

Many Democrats seek their party’s

nomination

Many Republicans seek their party’s

nomination

Campaigns & Debates

Campaigns & Debates

Primaries & Caucuses

Primaries & Caucuses

Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The

Ring”

Primaries & caucuses held in each state

• Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008)

• New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008)

Obama secures the nomination

McCain secures the nomination

The Electoral Process(Using Election 2008 as an Example)

Many Democrats seek their party’s

nomination

Many Republicans seek their party’s

nomination

Campaigns & Debates

Campaigns & Debates

Primaries & Caucuses

Primaries & Caucuses

Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The

Ring”

Primaries & caucuses held in each state

• Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008)

• New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008)

Obama secures the nomination

McCain secures the nomination

Obama selects Biden as his running mate

McCain selects Palin as his

running mate

Parties Hold National Conventions

• Develop the party platform

• Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally)

• Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced

The Electoral Process(The 2008 election)

Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008)

Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

Parties Hold National Conventions

• Develop the party platform

• Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally)

• Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced

The Electoral Process(Using Election 2008 as an Example)

Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008)

Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

Candidates campaign against each other

and debate the issues

Parties Hold National Conventions

• Develop the party platform

• Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally)

• Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced

The Electoral Process(Using Election 2008 as an Example)

Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008)

Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

Candidates campaign against each other

and debate the issues

General Election

• 1st Tues. after the 1st Mon. in Nov. (Nov. 4, 2008)

• The “popular vote” is conducted

• Eligible citizens vote for the “electors” for Obama & McCain

Parties Hold National Conventions

• Develop the party platform

• Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally)

• Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced

The Electoral Process(Using Election 2008 as an Example)

Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008)

Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

Candidates campaign against each other

and debate the issues

General Election

• 1st Tues. after the 1st Mon. in Nov. (Nov. 4, 2008)

• The “popular vote” is conducted

• Eligible citizens vote for the “electors” for Obama & McCain

Obama: 69,456,897

Popular Votes

McCain: 59,934,814

Popular Votes

2008 Presidential Election

Obama: 365 Electoral Votes

McCain: 173 Electoral Votes

A candidate can become president of the United States by securing the electoral votes of the 11 states

with the most electoral votes. To the best of your ability, make a list of these states. Magic number: 271.

• California (55 Electoral Votes)

• Texas (34 Electoral Votes)

• New York (31 Electoral Votes)

• Florida (27 Electoral Votes)

• Pennsylvania (21 Electoral Votes)

• Illinois (21 Electoral Votes)

• Ohio (20 Electoral Votes)

• Michigan (17 Electoral Votes)

• New Jersey (15 Electoral Votes)

• North Carolina (15 Electoral Votes)

• Georgia (15 Electoral Votes)

• TOTAL 271 Electoral Votes

The quickest way to become president—win the biggest 11 states.

What is the obvious reason why this won’t happen in 2016?

The Electoral Process(Using Election 2008 as an Example)

Electoral College Votes

• 1st Mon. after the 2nd Wed. in December (Dec. 15, 2008)

• Electors vote at their respective state capitols

• Must receive 270 votes to win

• Usually just a formality, the number of electoral votes was already decided in the general election

Inauguration

• Occurs Jan. 20 at 12:00 (noon)

• Sworn-in by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

Obama: 365 Electoral Votes

McCain: 173 Electoral Votes

Why did the “Framers” create the Electoral College system?

Is the Electoral College system still necessary?

We should ditch the electoral college because…

• The system favors states that are competitive, leading candidates to ignore huge states that lean strongly towards one party or the other. Example? You live in one!

• The winner-take-all aspect hinders 3rd parties b/c it is very unlikely that independent candidates will win any states. Who benefits from this?

• The popular vote winner can lose the election, thus thwarting the will of the majority. Which modern-day president won election this way?

• Although rare, a “faithless elector” can violate their pledge to vote for a specific candidate.

• It’s elitist. The system was created b/c the citizenry was largely illiterate in the late 1700s and might have made a crazy choice. This is, arguably, no longer the case.

• The state-by-state results simplify the recount procedures, rather than requiring a nation-wide recount.

• The requirement of 270 electoral votes in order to win, forces a candidate to appeal to a broad group of voters.

• If the presidency was decided simply on the basis of the popular vote, candidates would only campaign in the big states and ignore everybody else.

• The system has worked well for over 200 years and should not be tampered with.

Keep the method by which we choose a president because…

1 electoral vote in Wyoming represents 134,783 voters, while 1 electoral vote in Pennsylvania represents 456,216 votes.

Are all votes of equal value?

What would happen if…• …If a candidate receives more popular votes

than his/her opponent, but the other receives an absolute majority of electoral votes?

• …If the president-elect dies before inauguration day?

• …If none of the candidates receive an absolute majority of electoral votes?

• …If the president has not yet been elected by inauguration day?

• …If an elector votes for a candidate other than the one that he is pledged to vote for?

SummarizeEach of the items below has some significance regarding our discussion of the Electoral College. Write 1-2 paragraphs using these words. The

paragraphs must explain the presidential election process. Write in complete sentences and underline each word as you use it.

1. Popular Vote

2. Electoral Vote

3. Primaries

4. Caucuses

5. Wyoming

6. California

7. Faithless Elector