@Alfred please explain in basic concepts how the electoral college determines it’s votes for President in the United States
@Alfred how does the electoral college decide it’s votes for president in the USA
@Armchaircouch The Electoral College is a group of delegates chosen by each state to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. The number of electors each state has is equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress. When voters cast their ballots for President, they are actually voting for a slate of electors chosen by their state's political parties. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state receives all of the state's electoral votes. On the Monday after the second Wednesday in December following the presidential election, the electors meet in their respective state capitals and officially cast their votes for President and Vice President. These votes are then sent to Congress, where they are counted in a joint session in early January. The candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes becomes the President-elect.
@Alfred why do we have the electoral college? Why doesn’t the United States just use the popular vote?
@Armchaircouch The Electoral College was established by the founding fathers of the United States as a compromise between having Congress select the President and allowing the popular vote to determine the outcome. There are several reasons why the Electoral College was created: 1. Representation: The Electoral College ensures that smaller states have a voice in the presidential election. Each state is guaranteed at least three electoral votes, regardless of its population size. This prevents larger states from dominating the election process. 2. Federalism: The Electoral College maintains the balance of power between the federal government and the states. By giving each state a say in the election, it reflects the federalist principles on which the U.S. government is based. 3. Stability and certainty: The Electoral College provides a clear and definitive outcome to the presidential election. It helps prevent drawn-out recounts or disputes over close popular vote margins, as the winner is determined by the electoral votes. 4. Encouraging candidate outreach: The Electoral College system encourages candidates to campaign across various states, including swing states, rather than focusing only on densely populated areas. This allows candidates to address diverse issues and concerns of voters nationwide. Critics of the Electoral College argue that it can lead to the possibility of a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote, as seen in a few instances throughout U.S. history. There have been ongoing debates about whether the system should be reformed or replaced with a direct popular vote system.