1. How does a candidate win in the Electoral College system?
When a candidate wins majority of popular votes in a state, all of the state's electoral votes technically goes to that candidate. Electoral votes are those cast by state-chosen representatives who make up the electoral college and will vote December 19.
2. When people cast their vote for president, what are they actually voting for?
The people are actually voting for a group of people, the electors, who will almost always vote according to the popular vote of the state they represent.
3. When will the actual Electoral College vote count take place?
December 19
4. What 3 problems with the Electoral College does the article identify?
It undermines the importance of voting in most states that will inevitably be Democratic/Republican, thus deterring people from voting for the opposing party, and only swing states are focused on.
The size of the margin of victory does not matter because it is not proportional to the number of electoral votes a candidate receives, thus resulting in the possibility of the disparity between popular vote and electoral vote.
It gives greater influence to small states since every state is guaranteed at least three electors, which overrepresents states like Wyoming or Montana while underrepresenting huge states like California.
5. What are the penalties for an elector that does not vote as their state voted?
A fine and possibility losing reappointment in the electoral college.
6. Why haven't there been many faithless electors before?
Parties painstakingly vet through their options and choose those who they are sure will loyally back the party's nominee.
7. Why did the Framers choose to use the Electoral College?
They did not want the common people to directly choose the president because the commoners were uneducated, non-landowning and wouldn't have as good judgment as the elites would.
8. How did political parties change this process?
Parties made sure to pick electors who would vote loyally.
9. What does the article say are the 3 reasons the Electoral College is a good system?
Usually, the victorious candidate is indeed the popular vote winner and swing states tend to agree with popular vote as well.
It ensures regional balance by requiring any regional candidate to get some support outside his or her region to be elected, thus limiting urban power grab.
It is less likely for a nationwide recount.
10. How do the American people feel about the Electoral College?
Polls show that majority (63%) of Americans want to eliminate it.
11. Explain how the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would work
It would be an agreement for states and DC to award all their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote, thus ensuring that electoral victory aligns with popular victory.
12. Which states would be opposed to this plan?
All Republican and swing states have not adopted it and Republican/small/rural states would oppose it.
No comments:
Post a Comment