Introduction
In more ways than the average citizen fails to realize, politics play a significant role in our lives. Those we elect into office make pertinent decisions that deeply impact our lives every single day. Decisions on our finances, health care, safety, education, and lifestyle are made by officials whom citizens elect. Yet when the average citizen is questioned on how the most important elected official, the President of the United States of America, obtained his seat in office, many were at a lost regarding the details of the process. Within this site you will find the results of a short study conducted by MAET 2013 Summer Cohort graduate students Scott Pangrazzi, Laura Rinehart, Michaela Norman, and Angelica Garcia. These four individuals were asked about their knowledge and understanding of the election process of the President of the United States.
Quick Summary on How the President is Elected
The President is elected through a general election of the people, however votes are divided by states into what is known as the Electoral College. In the Electoral College each state is assigned a number based on how many representatives they have in Congress. The District of Columbia also maintains 3 votes. In total 435 Representatives, 100 Senators, and 3 votes for the District of Columbia make for a total of 538 votes. Each state holds its own elector with its own rules and the candidate with the majority of the votes for a particular state takes ALL of that state’s electoral votes. The candidate who receives 270 votes from the Electoral College wins the election.
But What if There is a Tie?
The vote is sent to the House of Representatives. Each state caucuses together and must cast one vote for a candidate. The person who wins the majority of this vote then becomes the President.
Resources
Adkison, D.M., & Elliott, C. (1997). The Electoral College: A Misunderstood Institution. Journal of Political Science & Politics 77-80
Bauerlein, Mark. (2012). Civic Literacy. Journal of Academic Questions, 25 (328-333). Retrieved from
http://link.springer.com.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs 12129-012-9297-4.pdf
Intercollegiate Studies Institute. (2008). Full Civic Literacy Exam (Survey file). Retrieved from http://www.isi.org/quiz.aspx?q=FE5C3B47-
9675-41E0-9CF3-072BB31E2692
Reaves, Jessica. (2000). What It All Means: The Mysterious Workings of the Electoral College. Retrieved from
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,55439,00.html
United States Constitution, Art. 2, Subsections 1.1-1.3
Bauerlein, Mark. (2012). Civic Literacy. Journal of Academic Questions, 25 (328-333). Retrieved from
http://link.springer.com.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs 12129-012-9297-4.pdf
Intercollegiate Studies Institute. (2008). Full Civic Literacy Exam (Survey file). Retrieved from http://www.isi.org/quiz.aspx?q=FE5C3B47-
9675-41E0-9CF3-072BB31E2692
Reaves, Jessica. (2000). What It All Means: The Mysterious Workings of the Electoral College. Retrieved from
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,55439,00.html
United States Constitution, Art. 2, Subsections 1.1-1.3