Presidential Selection: The Framers' Plan/Electoral College

Question 1

Explain the two voting methods that the Framers were against and why

Answer 1

Election through Congress
- the President would be under Legislative thumb
Election through the people’s vote
- people would not know the candidates well enough or have enough information about current events, selection, political issues, etc.

Question 2

In the framers’ original provisions, how was the president and vp determined?

Answer 2

presidential electors or electoral votes

• in the original provisions, the highest electoral votes determined who will be president while second highest was vp

Question 3

Who are the presidential electors?

Answer 3

• representatives in the Electoral College
• 535 total votes:
  
  • 100 Senators (2 per state)
  • 435 House of Representatives

Question 4

What is the Electoral College? Who is in it?

Answer 4

• group of electors chosen from each State and DC to select the president and vp
• act as representatives of their state
• they are fully updated with all current events

Question 5

Do U.S. territories get to vote for the president?

Answer 5

• No, they are not able to vote for the President as they are not considered a state

Question 6

Do US territories have congressional representation?

Answer 6

• No representation in Congress but can send a non-voting representative to speak on behalf of political issues