strengths and weaknesses of electoral college

Question 1

Explain fairness of results as a weakness to the electoral college?

Answer 1

Winner of the electoral college can lose the popular vote, distorting the outcome.
e.g.- 200, W.Bush won despite losing the popular vote; 2016, Trump lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million but won the presidency.

Question 2

Explain fairness of results as a strength to the electoral college?

Answer 2

Promotes broad national coalitions by requiring candidates to win across various states, not just high-population ones.
e.g.- 2024, Trump won across diverse states (Arizona) and (Pennsylvania). Encouraged a wider campaign appeal.

Question 3

explain representation of parties as a strength of the electoral college?

Answer 3

preserves influence for less populous states, avoiding domination by large urban centres.
e.g.- Wyoming (population-500,000) gets 3 EC votes; California (39million) gets 54.W-out this small states could be ignored.

Question 4

Explain competitiveness of parties as a strength of the electoral college?

Answer 4

presidential elections are still competitive unlike many house races
e.g.- 2024, Trump won the popular vote by just 1.5%, showing how close and competitive the race was.

Question 5

Explain competitiveness of elections as a weakness of the electoral college?

Answer 5

Disproportionally favours certain outcomes- winner takes all distorts vote distribution.
e.g.- Clinton in 1996 won 49% of the vote but got over 70% of EC votes.

Question 6

Explain participation rates as a weakness of the electoral college?

Answer 6

swing states are prioritised, depressing turnout in safe states
e.g.- 2024, Hawaii saw- 50% turnout, while swing states like Wisconsin saw over 75% turnout.

Question 7

Explain faithless electors and trust in results as a weakness of the electoral college?

Answer 7

some electors may vote against the popular choice in their states
e.g.- 2016, 7 faithless electors defied expectations. If the race had been closer, this could have decided the result.

Question 8

Explain faithless electors and trust in results as a counterpoint to the weakness?

Answer 8

SCOTUS ruled that states can compel electors to follow the vote; reforms are possible
e.g.- Most states now bind electors, rogue voters have never changed an elections result

Question 9

Explain campaign influence and responsiveness as a weakness of the electoral college?

Answer 9

EC forces candidates to pander to swing states, not national interests.
e.g.- Harris softened her fracking stance to win over Pennsylvania. Trump’s no tax on tips pledge targeted Nevada.

Question 10

Explain campaign influence and responsiveness as a strength of the electoral college?

Answer 10

Swing states change over time, preventing total stagnation of focus.
e.g.- Florida was once a swing state but became reliably red by 2024.