Using (and referencing) the below documents, formulate a
five paragraph essay which answers the larger question:
Should the Electoral College be abolished or changed?
Due Wednesday 03/23/17
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?
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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 (30.9%)
Secretary of State
Henry Clay
37
47,136 (13%)
Speaker of the House of Reps
Andrew Jackson
99
152,933 (41.3%)
US Senator from TN
William Crawford
41
46,979 (11.2%)
Secretary of Treasury
Question: Did the results of the 1824 election match the will of the people?
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Document #4
This map shows how many voters are represented by each electoral
vote.
Question: Why might smaller populated states have wanted the Electoral College system?
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Document #5
Review of the 2000 Election Ballots in Florida and Third Parties
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 significant candidate in 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.
Document #6
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, 5-4 decision was made, ending the
recounts and giving the state of Florida's Electoral votes to George W. Bush.
Question: How can third party candidates affect the Electoral College system?
Document #7
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? Why or why not?
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