Slides

1. POL 375
Fall 2017

3.  Found in Article II of the Constitution
 Basic Qualifications:
 Natural-born citizen of the United States
 At least 35 years old
 U.S. resident for 14 years

5.  Presidential elections do not occur by popular vote,
but indirectly through Electoral College.
 Found in Article II, Section I
 Allocating Electoral CollegeVotes by State:
 Number of Reps +Two Senators = #of Electors
 Florida: 27 Reps+ 2 Senators = 29 ElectoralVotes
 Winner has most Electoral CollegeVotes—Usually

6.  Modified through Amendments
 Twelfth – Separated balloting for Pres andVP
after 1800 Election between Jefferson and Burr
 Twenty-Third – DC given representation in EC

7.  Citizens vote for slate of state electors
 “Winner-Take-All” or “Unit Rule’ Method
 Exceptions are Maine and Nebraska (Cong. Districts)
 Electors meet in state capitol to cast voters
following election
 Methods of Selecting Electors
 Issue of “Faithless Electors”

8.  President of Senate (VP) reads votes
 Election requires 50% + 1 of total number of
all 538 Electoral CollegeVotes or 270
 VP announces their election...or defeat
 If no majority in Electoral College, House
votes for President and Senate forVice Pres

11.  Political Stability andTwo-Party System
 Minority Interests
 Personal Campaigning – Urban/Rural Areas
 Contested Recounts in Few States
 Winner’sVictory and “Mandate”
 Works OverTime

12.  MostVotes = Win Election
 PopularVote Loss/Electoral College Win
 1876, 1888, 2000
 “Faithless” Electors
 “Battleground” States
 DepressedVoterTurnout
 Dilution of Popular Will

13. 1876
Hayes vs.Tilden
2000
Bush vs. Gore
1888
Cleveland vs. Harrison