How does the electoral college work? Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is the purpose of the Electoral College in U.S. presidential elections?
To formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.
How many total electoral votes are there in the Electoral College?
There are 538 total electoral votes.
True or False: A candidate can win the presidency without winning the popular vote.
True.
What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency?
A candidate needs a minimum of 270 electoral votes to win.
Fill in the blank: Each state’s electoral votes are equal to its number of ________ and ________ in Congress.
Senators, Representatives.
What determines the number of electoral votes a state receives?
The number of Representatives and Senators that state has in Congress.
Which amendment established the Electoral College?
The 12th Amendment.
True or False: All states use a winner-takes-all system to allocate their electoral votes.
False.
What is a winner-takes-all system?
A system where the candidate receiving the majority of votes in a state gets all of that state’s electoral votes.
Name one state that uses a proportional allocation of electoral votes.
Maine or Nebraska.
What happens if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes?
The election is decided by the House of Representatives.
True or False: Electoral votes are awarded based on the national popular vote.
False.
How often are presidential elections held in the U.S.?
Every four years.
What is the role of electors in the Electoral College?
Electors are the individuals who cast the official votes for President and Vice President.
How are electors chosen in most states?
They are chosen by the political parties and pledged to vote for their party’s candidate.
What is the date of the Electoral College meeting?
The Electoral College meets on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December.
True or False: The results of the Electoral College are final and cannot be changed.
True.
What is the significance of the 23rd Amendment?
It granted Washington D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections.
How many electoral votes does Washington D.C. have?
Washington D.C. has 3 electoral votes.
What is the term for the period between the election and the inauguration of the President?
The transition period.
What is the primary criticism of the Electoral College?
It can result in a disparity between the popular vote and the electoral vote outcome.
Fill in the blank: The Electoral College was created in the ________.
Constitution.
What is the main function of the National Archives and Records Administration in relation to the Electoral College?
To oversee the official documentation of electoral votes.
True or False: All states require electors to vote according to the popular vote in their state.
False.
