Quick Learner: How the Electoral College Decides the Presidential Election
Dive into the complex system Americans use to elect the President: the Electoral College. In this short video, learn about the origins of the Electoral College, how it functions, and why it remains a topic of debate in modern politics.
A few quick facts about the Electoral College:
1. The Electoral College has led to four instances where the popular vote winner did not become president. These occurred in 1876, 1888, 2000 and 2016, highlighting the system's potential to produce unexpected outcomes.
2. While most states use a "winner-takes-all" approach for allocating electoral votes, Maine and Nebraska stand out. These two states distribute their electoral votes by congressional district, adding an extra layer of complexity to the electoral process.
3. Throughout U.S. history, there have been rare cases of "faithless electors" – those who don't vote according to their state's popular vote. Notably, this occurred in 1796 and 2016, sparking discussions about elector accountability and the integrity of the system.