1. How does a candidate win in the Electoral College system? In this system, a candidate must receive at least 270 votes to win, and states have a varied number of electoral votes based on their representation in Congress Candidates often target large states or swing states to increase their electoral college votes, and thus winning the election. (i.e. Florida and Ohio in this election, etc.)
2. When people cast their vote for president, what are they actually voting for? People are actually voting for a each party's cluster of electors who will determine the winner of the election.
3. When will the actual Electoral College vote count take place? Electors will cast their vote on December 19.
4. What 3 problems with the Electoral College does the article identify? Even though a candidate can win the popular vote, they won't be the president unless they win the electoral too. Swing states are so influential, the votes in other states seem to be wasted. Additionally, each state is guaranteed three electors minimum, so if a state is small it can still have a tiny advantage.
5. What are the penalties for an elector that does not vote as their state voted? Only thirty states have implemented penalties for these electors if they don't vote as their state voted, but oftentimes, they are fined, or worse: they can lose their position.
6. Why haven't there been many faithless electors before? Parties vet their electors thoroughly, ensuring that they remain faithful to the party.
7. Why did the Framers choose to use the Electoral College? The Framers did not want the president to be put in the hands of all citizens, so they chose to have one select group of people to make that choice to separate the people from the government.
8. How did political parties change this process? The Constitution did not say anything about how the electors would be chosen, so parties decided that they would nominate their own electors, and the party wanted to make sure the electors were loyal (passing laws to require them to vote for the party's nominee).
9. What does the article say are the 3 reasons the Electoral College is a good system? It ensures that a candidate cannot win from only one region of the country/makes sure all states can contribute. The electoral vote will be less likely to result in a tie, and it prevents large urban voters from overshadowing rural people.
10. How do the American people feel about the Electoral College? People would love to transition to the popular vote system.
11. Explain how the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would work. If a state signs this compact, it would mean that the state has to contribute its electors to the national winner, rather than the state winner. In this case, whoever wins the popular vote will win the electoral vote also, but only if 270 or more votes agree to do the same.
12. Which states would be opposed to this plan? Republicans and swing states are in opposition.
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