[INFOGRAPHICS] What Is The Electoral College? How Does It Work? Politixxx Today

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Table of Contents

1. What is the Electoral College?
2. How are the Electoral College members chosen?
3. What happens if no candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes?
4. Why does the Electoral College matter?
5. How has the Electoral College affected past elections?

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is a group of electors who are chosen by their respective political parties to cast their votes for the President and Vice President of the United States. The number of electors in each state is determined by the number of representatives and senators that state has in Congress. This means that larger states have more electors than smaller states.

When voters cast their ballots in a presidential election, they are actually choosing their state's electors. The process of choosing these electors varies from state to state, but they are typically chosen at the state party conventions or through a vote of the party's central committee.

How are the Electoral College members chosen?

The process for choosing Electoral College members varies from state to state. In some states, the members are chosen by the state party conventions or through a vote of the party's central committee. In other states, the members are chosen by popular vote in the general election.

Regardless of the method for choosing the members, they are typically chosen based on their loyalty to their respective political parties. This means that they are usually activists, donors, or elected officials within their party who have demonstrated their commitment to the party's platform and candidates.

What happens if no candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes?

If no candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes, the election is decided by the House of Representatives. Each state delegation in the House receives one vote, and the candidate who receives a majority of those votes is declared the winner.

If the House is unable to choose a President by Inauguration Day, the Vice President-elect serves as Acting President until the House is able to make a decision. If no Vice President has been chosen by Inauguration Day, then the Speaker of the House serves as Acting President until a President or Vice President is chosen.

Why does the Electoral College matter?

The Electoral College matters because it determines the outcome of presidential elections. While the popular vote is important, it is the Electoral College that ultimately decides who will be the next President and Vice President of the United States.

The Electoral College also ensures that smaller states have a say in the outcome of the election. Without the Electoral College, candidates would only need to focus on winning the popular vote in large states like California and New York, while ignoring the concerns of voters in smaller states like Wyoming and Vermont.

How has the Electoral College affected past elections?

The Electoral College has affected past elections in a number of ways. In some cases, it has led to candidates winning the presidency despite losing the popular vote. This has happened five times in US history, most recently in the 2016 election when Donald Trump won the presidency despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton.

The Electoral College has also led to candidates focusing their campaigns on swing states, or states that are seen as crucial to winning the election. This can lead to candidates ignoring voters in states that are considered safe for one party or the other.

Conclusion

The Electoral College is a crucial part of the US election process. While it has its critics, it serves an important role in ensuring that smaller states have a say in the outcome of the election. By understanding how the Electoral College works, voters can make informed decisions about who they want to represent them in the White House.