Electoral College Information
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Why do we have it?
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To keep democracy in check during a federal election, as each candidate wins each state
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Who are the electors?
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Party members that are either loyal to the Democrats or the Republicans
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How are they chosen in your state?
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Electors are chosen by Political Parties
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How many electoral votes are there?
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538 total
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How are they divided among the states
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2 Sentaors plus the total number of seats in the house ex. California has 53 representatives and 2 senators, that equals 55 electoral votes
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How many does your state have?
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4 electoral votes total
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How does your state determine how many electoral votes each candidate will get?
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WINNER TAKES ALL
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How many are needed to win?
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270 to win
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What if no candidate receives a majority??
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If no candidate receives a majority, the House selects the President from 3 Presidential Candidates who reciee the most Electoral Votes
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Key State
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A state with more electoral votes than any other state
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Swing State
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A state with an undecided view on who will become President
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Battleground State
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Another name for a swing state
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Pros of the Electoral College System
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Keeps democracy in check Favors the smaller states, and some larger states, as well as minority groups Benefits Democracy, so the smaller states don't get ignored
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Cons of the Electoral College System
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Third Party Candidates and some larger states dislike the system Doesn't favor third parties and some larger states Third Party Candidates and larger states want to change it, along with people who believe Al Gore should have won the Election of 2000
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Is it fair?
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It is fair if a candidate wins the popular vote yet loses the electoral vote, in fact, that's how the system works cut and dry.
