Eyeing Election Results
One of my favorite memories of Election Day is the first election in which my daughter could vote. Our precinct is at the elementary school my children all attended, and we proudly went to the polls together—on Election Day—and then took a picture of both of us by the “Vote Here” sign.
I also remember being on pins and needles on November 7, 2000, as news stations across the country called states like Oregon, New Mexico, and Florida for Gore, then Bush, then back to Gore, then back to Bush . . . and so on and so on.
Which brings me to today’s topic—the electoral college. Over the years, more than 700 proposals have been introduced in Congress to reform or eliminate the Electoral College. Since we’ll all have our eyes on the count tomorrow night, I thought it would be good to revisit how the whole system came about and why it’s still in use.
The process was actually put in place by our Founding Fathers and can be found in Article II of the Constitution, where “electors” are mentioned. The term is mentioned again in the 12th Amendment.
One of the most difficult issues to resolve during the 1787 Constitutional Convention was how the nation would elect a president. Some argued that Congress should pick the president. Others insisted it should be direct democratic vote—whomever receives the majority of the popular vote should win. Ultimately, they agreed that both a monarchy and a pure democracy were fundamentally flawed because they were subject to the whims of human nature and thus would lead to tyranny. (Read more about why we’re a republic.)
Another huge controversy was over whether each state should get one vote or if the number of votes per state would be determined by the number of people in the geographical area. The election of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate also factored in how to address that particular challenge. Each state is given 2 Senators, thus ensuring states with smaller populations do not get trampled upon by those more densely populated. The U.S. House, however, is based on apportionment of the 435 seats among the states after every 10-year census . . . thus ensuring that rural areas could not dictate laws to govern those in urban areas. The whole system is about checks and balances.
Out of these (and many other) discussions was born the idea of electors. The states would each select independent electors who would cast the actual ballots. Electors are generally voted into this position during their state party convention, though each state and party plays a part in setting those rules. The number of electors per state is based upon the number of congressional districts plus an elector for each senator (meaning each state gets at least 3 electors no matter how small or unpopulated).
Although the names of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates are on the ballot, you’re actually casting a vote for your candidates’ electors who will meet in December in their respective states to cast their votes and prepare a Certificate of Vote. The Certificate is then sent to Congress where the votes are counted.
So, as you’re watching election results and the media is calculating the number of electoral votes for each slate of candidates (270 is needed to win), follow along with knowledge of how the process came to be and why, though not perfect, no one has yet come up with a better alternative. While you’re at it, don’t forget that you can check iVoterGuide to view who wins elections, as well.
