The document discusses the process for electing the US president as outlined in the Constitution. It notes the basic qualifications to be president, that the election occurs through the Electoral College rather than a popular vote, and how electoral votes are allocated to each state based on representation in Congress. It also describes amendments that modified the process, such as separating the ballots for president and vice president. The document then outlines the steps of how citizens vote for electors who then cast votes for president following the election. It discusses methods of selecting electors and issues like faithless electors. Finally, it covers edge cases if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes and debates around the Electoral College system.

1. PO 375
Fall 2016

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
 Illinois: 18 Reps+ 2 Senators = 20 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

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

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

11. 1876
Hayes vs.Tilden
2000
Bush vs. Gore
1888
Cleveland vs. Harrison