Mod 6 Page: Understanding the Electoral College

Electoral College Basics

Do you really elect the president of the United States?  Yes and No. 

2008 and 2016 provide us with the perfect look at how the process of electing president it a current hot topic in American Government.   In both cases, the candidate receiving the most votes did NOT become president.   Does this make sense? 

Let's take a closer look at how and why our founders chose to insert the check of the electoral college on our presidential elections.

 

Review the Key Concepts of this Video:

1.  How is the total number of electors calculated?

2.  Why did our founding fathers insert the check of the electoral college?  Why not just go with the popular vote?

3.  Is there still a modern need for the electoral college?

4.  How does the electoral college balance the power of populated states on the coast with the rural Midwest states?

 

Link to the National Geographic website Links to an external site.and take the "quiz" to prepare for your formative assessment.