Document #1
Alexander Hamilton – Federalist #68

It was equally desirable, that the immediate election should be made by men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station, and acting under circumstances favorable to deliberation, and to a judicious combination of all the reasons and inducements which were proper to govern their choice. A small number of persons, selected by their fellow-citizens from the general mass, will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to such complicated investigations. It was also peculiarly desirable to afford as little opportunity as possible to tumult and disorder. This evil was not least to be dreaded in the election of a magistrate, who was to have so important an agency in the administration of the government as the President of the United States. But the precautions which have been so happily concerted in the system under consideration, promise an effectual security against this mischief.

Question: What does Alexander Hamilton believe the Electoral College will protect us from?

Document #2
Article 2, Section 1 of the United States Constitution

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

Question: How is the number of electors decided?

______

Document #3
Results from the Election of 1824:

Since no one received a true majority (51%) of the electoral votes, the vote went to the House of Representatives, where John Quincy Adams was selected as President.

Candidate / Electoral Vote / Popular Vote
John Quincy Adams / 84 / 115,696
Henry Clay / 37 / 47,136
Andrew Jackson / 99 / 152,933
William Crawford / 41 / 46,979

Question: Did the results of the 1824 election match the will of the people?

______

Document #4
This map shows how many voters are represented by each electoral vote.

Question: Why might small states have wanted the Electoral College system?
______

______

Document #5

Review of the 2000 election


The 2000 Presidential Election was the most recent election where the popular vote winner was not elected. George W. Bush, son of former President George H.W.Bush, ran on the Republican ticket against Democratic candidate, and the sitting Vice President, Al Gore. Though Gore held a slim popular vote victory of 543,895 (0.5%), Bush won the Electoral College 271-266, with one Gore Elector abstaining.

The election was plagued with allegations of voter fraud and disenfranchisement. Rumors of illegal road blocks, unclear ballots, and uncounted votes, particularly in swing states like Missouri and Florida, were rampant. Florida became the key state as the election drew to a close. Consisting of nearly 6 million voters, Florida was officially won by a margin of 537 votes, after a process of recounting the votes and a Supreme Court ruling.

Another significantcandidatein the 2000 election was Green Party candidate, Ralph Nader. Nader attracted just under 3% of voters with a progressive platform focused on social and environmental issues.

Democratic supporters targeted Nader as being a “spoiler” for Al Gore. Since Nader was left-of-center, Democrats argued that most of his voters would have otherwise supported Gore. In such a close election, many believe that Gore would have won if Nader had dropped out of the race.

The 2000 election resulted in numerous court battles over contested ballots and recounts. These lawsuits escalated to the U.S. Supreme Court where the final, 5-4decision was made, ending the recounts and giving the state of Florida's Electoral votesto George W. Bush.

Question: How can third party candidates affect the Electoral College system?

Document #6
This map shows a pre-election prediction for how the election would turn out. These prediction maps were printed in major newspapers and shown on television stations such as CNN.

Question: If you saw this map the day before you voted, how might this affect your likelihood to vote?

______

DBQ: Using (and referencing) the above documents, formulate a five paragraph essay which answers the larger question: Is the Electoral College a fair and equitable way to elect the President of the United States?