Greetings Friends,

I’ve put together a scintillating collection of readings on the Electoral College for your reading pleasure. Perhaps you didn’t think “scintillating” and “Electoral College” could be in the same sentence, but after today you will change your mind. Please follow the simple instructions found in the next few pages (STEP ONE…STEP TWO…etc.) to complete the readings, notes, and reflections. By the end of the activity you’ll be stewing with strong opinions on the topic. Be sure to capture those opinions in writing so that next week you have a foundation for our class debates.

Whatever you do, don’t be this guy. He slept through class on the day they studied the Electoral College and spent the rest of his life with this dumb look on his face.


STEP ONE: Getting to Know the Electoral College
Try to complete this quiz BEFORE reading “Electoral College 101.” Then come back to make corrections as needed.

1. Identify one reason why the Framers of the Constitution established the Electoral College?

2. How does a state determine its total number of electoral votes?

3. Who are the “Electors” and what do they actually do?

4.Fill in the Blank: When a candidate wins the ______of the ______votes in any state they will then win ______of that state’s ______votes. To become the POTUS, the candidate must win the ______of the total electoral votes in the Electoral College. In other words, they must win at least ______out of a total ______electoral votes possible.

5. What happens if there is a tie, or the required number of electoral votes is not achieved?

6. Tricky question: How many total presidential “Electors” are there in WashingtonState on election night?

7. How does the Electoral College affect presidential campaigns?

8. Review Question: How can the census affect the Electoral College? (Hint: the magic word is “reapportionment”)

9. Without repeating your answer to Question #1, identify something important the Electoral College protects.

10. Identify a typical complaint about the Electoral College.

(Use “Electoral College 101” to help you complete/correct this quiz)

STEP TWO: Now you’re ready to read some more advanced attacks & defenses of the Electoral College. To keep track of the main arguments, complete this table using the remaining readings in your packet.

Arguments in Defense of the Electoral College / Arguments to Abolish the Electoral College
Summarize your position on the controversy. In complete sentences, choose your most the most compelling arguments and compose a brief explanation of why you think the Electoral College should stay or go.