The Electoral College Explained: How U.S. Presidential Elections Work

Shaking Up Democracy [Music] buckle up because we're about to dive into the wild world of the US Electoral College a system so confusing it makes your taxes look like Child's Play Imagine a group of guys in powdered wigs arguing about how to elect a president that's how the Electoral College was born it's like a relic from a bygone era like rotary phones or your grandma's fruit cake we're stuck with it but nobody's quite sure why historian media year 1787 historical reenactment the year was 1787 the founding fathers Fresh Off writing the Constitution were faced with a dilemma how to choose the leader of the newly formed Nation direct popular vote too risky they thought giving too much power to the people Madness they feared mob Rule and unqualified voters so they concocted a compromise the Electoral College this system a compromise between election by Congress and direct popular vote aimed to balance the interests of states with different populations it was a way to ensure that all states not just those with large populations had a say in choosing the president think of it like a weighted blanket for democracy some states get a little extra What Were They Thinking? The Purpose of This Electoral Enigma padding the Electoral College my friends is like that friend who shows up late to every party with a lame excuse you tolerate them but you're not really sure why they're there historian the founding fathers in their Infinite Wisdom designed the Electoral College to achieve several objectives first they wanted to create a buffer between the presidency and the whims of the general public they also wanted to ensure that smaller States weren't completely overshadowed by larger States in presidential elections in essence they wanted to create a system where the president was beholden to the states not just the people fast forward to today and the Electoral College remains a topic of much debate with some arguing it's an outdated system that no longer serves its intended It's Not as Simple as One Person, One Vote purpose here's where things get really interesting or confusing depending on your perspective each state gets a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress that means the number of Senators always two plus the number of Representatives which is determined by population political analyst so California with its massive population has a whopping 55 electoral votes while Wyoming with its significantly smaller population only has three to win the presidency a candidate needs to secure a majority of the Electoral College votes that magic number is 270 out of a total of 538 here's the kicker in Most states it's a winner take all system the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state generally gets all of that State's electoral votes that's right even if a candidate wins by just one vote they snag all the Electoral Where Elections Go to Get More Attention Than Your Instagram Feed goodies now because of this whole Electoral College shebang presidential elections often hinge on a handful of key States known as swing States these are states where the vote is typically very close between the two major parties making them highly contested Battlegrounds think of them as the popular kids in school that everyone wants to be friends with political IST candidates spend a disproportionate amount of time and resources campaigning in these swing States promising everything but the kitchen sink to win over voters it's like a political circus complete with baby kissing flag waving and enough empty promises to make a used car salesman blush meanwhile states that consistently vote for one party over the other are often ignored their residents feeling like the neglected Wallflowers at the political prom Democracy's Biggest Fan... Or Worst Enemy? section five the Electoral College democracy's biggest fan or worst enemy The Electoral College is like that one friend who's always starting arguments at parties you never know what they're going to say next it's a system that's both praised and criticized often with equal fervor proponents of the Electoral College argue that it protects the interests of smaller States prevents the tyranny of the majority and promotes stability in the two-party system they argue that it forces candidates to build Broad coalitions across different regions and demographics opponents however counter that the Electoral College is undemocratic gives disproportionate power to swing States and can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote they argue that it undermines the principle of one person one vote and can lead to voter apathy and Can We Fix It? Alternative Paths to the White House [Music] cynicism section six can we fix it alternative paths to the White House so how do we fix this electoral college conundrum well there are a few ideas being tossed around each with its own set of pros and cons one option is to abolish the Electoral College alt together and elect the president based on the national popular vote this would ensure that every vote counts equally regardless of where you live another alternative is a proportional system where electoral votes are divided based on the percentage of the popular vote each candidate receives in a state this would more accurately reflect the will of the people and reduce the power of Swing States then there's the national popular vote interstate compact an agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote regardless of who wins the It's Complicated, Just Like Your Love Life state section seven the Electoral College it's complicated just like your love life the Electoral College is a complex system with a long and storied history it's been the subject of intense debate and scrutiny with passionate arguments on both sides like a messy breakup it's left many Americans feeling confused frustrated and wondering if there's a better way understanding how the Electoral College works is crucial for engaged citizens who want to participate in the Democratic process it's about more than just casting a vote it's about understanding the rules of the game and how they can impact the outcome of an The Importance of Understanding the Electoral College election Section 8 the importance of understanding the Electoral College why should you care about the Electoral College well for starters it determines who becomes the leader of the Free World which is kind of a big deal but beyond that understanding the Electoral College is crucial for informed Civic engagement it allows you to see through the noise of campaign rhetoric and make sense of election results when you understand how the Electoral College works you can better evaluate candidates engage in informed discussions about electoral reform and advocate for changes that align with your values knowledge is power my friends and in the realm of politics understanding the Electoral College is like wielding a mighty How to Make Your Vote Count sword section nine how to make your vote count in The Labyrinth in world of the Electoral College it's easy to feel like your individual vote is insignificant however there are tangible steps you can take to amplify your voice and make your vote count start by registering ing to vote and encourage your friends and family to do the same next research the candidates and their positions on issues that matter to you identify and support organizations that align with your values and volunteer your time or resources to their cause engage in respectful dialogue with people who hold different political views seeking common ground and The Future of the Electoral College understanding section 10 the future of the Electoral College the future of the Electoral College remains uncertain with ongoing debates about its merits and potential reforms some argue that the system is outdated and undemocratic While others believe it serves as an important safeguard for the interests of smaller States as the nation grapples with its political identity and the evolving nature of democracy the Electoral College is likely to remain a topic of intense discussion and potential reform whether it endures in its current form or undergo significant changes understanding its history mechanics and impact on American politics is essential for informed The Electoral College in the 21st Century citizenship section 11 conclusion the Electoral College in the 21st century so there you have it the Electoral College in all its glory and complexity it's a system that has shaped American history and continues to spark debate and controversy today as we move further into the 21st century the future of the Electoral College remains uncertain whether it endures in its current form or undergo significant changes one thing is certain understanding the Electoral College is crucial for informed Civic engagement and for shaping the future of American democracy