GC.18 Explain the Electoral College system, and compare and contrast arguments for and against it. G, H, P
What am I learning today?
How our Electoral College operates
Why am I learning this?
The Electoral College determines our president
How will I know I learned this?
When you understand how the Electoral College operates
Bellwork: We live in the South – using your phones – which of these states did Biden win in 2020 and which ones did Trump win? How many did each of them win?
The US Census Bureau defines the American South as a collection of 16 states and DC.
And every Democrat who won a Presidential Election in the last 60 years won 4 of more of these states.
And every Dem who lost a Presidential Election won 3 or fewer.
In 2016, Clinton won 3. And lost.
In 2012, Obama won 4. And won.
In 2008, Obama won 5. And won.
In 2004, Kerry won 2. And lost.
In 2000, Gore won 2. And lost.
In 1996, Clinton won 8. And won.
In 1992, Clinton won 8. And won.
In 1988, Dukakis won 1. And lost.
In 1984, Mondale won 0. And lost.
In 1980, Carter won 3. And lost.
In 1976, Carter won 14. And won.
In 1972, McGovern won 0. And lost.
In 1968, Humphrey won 3. And lost.
In 1964, Johnson won 11. And won.
In 1960, Kennedy won 9. And won.
The states considered by Census to be part of the South are, in order of electoral weight:
Texas (38)
Florida (29)
Georgia (16)
North Carolina (15)
Virginia (13)
Tennessee (11)
Maryland (10)
Alabama (9)
South Carolina (9)
Louisiana (8)
Kentucky (8)
Oklahoma (7)
Arkansas (6)
Mississippi (6)
West Virginia (5)
Delaware (3)
DC (3)*
- Not currently a state
184 combined electoral votes from the 16 states and 3 from DC. It’s hard to blank on the entire region and still get to 270. The most populous region of the country. 126 million people.
Faithless Electors
Someone has a plan