How is the president chosen and why?
How is the president chosen and why?
In other U.S. elections, candidates are elected directly by popular vote. But the president and vice president are not elected directly by citizens. Instead, they’re chosen by “electors” through a process called the Electoral College. It was a compromise between a popular vote by citizens and a vote in Congress.
Who really decides the presidency?
It is the electors’ vote that technically decides the election, and a candidate must gain 270 electoral votes to win the White House. In most elections, the winner of the popular vote also wins the majority of the electoral votes.
What was the original purpose of using the electoral college to elect presidents?
Originally, the Electoral College provided the Constitutional Convention with a compromise between two main proposals: the popular election of the President and the election of the President by Congress.
Why was Electoral College created?
The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College in the Constitution, in part, as a compromise between the election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens.
When does a president-elect become President of the United States?
There is no explicit indication in the U.S. Constitution as to when that person actually becomes president-elect, although the Twentieth Amendment uses the term “President-elect”, thus giving the term “president-elect” constitutional justification. As an unofficial term, president-elect has been used by the media for decades.
Why do we still let the Electoral College pick our president?
The most obvious alternative was to have the president elected by Congress. But the framers also wanted an executive who would be both independent of Congress and a check upon it. If Congress elected the president, you would have to limit him to a single term.
How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win Presidency?
Technically, it is these electors, and not the American people, who vote for the president. In modern elections, the first candidate to get 270 of the 538 total electoral votes wins the White House.
Is the term ” President-elect ” used in the media?
As an unofficial term, president-elect has been used by the media for decades. Politicians and the media have applied the term to the declared winner, even on election night, and very few who turned out to have lost have been referred to as such.
Why is the way we elect presidents makes no sense?
The way we elect presidents makes no sense for this nation in the 21st century, if it ever did. We are literally punishing people for living in states with many people, and rewarding those in small states with extra political power. Why this anti-democratic system? And please don’t tell me “this isn’t a democracy; it’s a republic”.
The most obvious alternative was to have the president elected by Congress. But the framers also wanted an executive who would be both independent of Congress and a check upon it. If Congress elected the president, you would have to limit him to a single term.
How many electoral votes do you need to be president?
After you cast your ballot for president, your vote goes to a statewide tally. In 48 states and Washington, D.C., the winner gets all the electoral votes for that state. Maine and Nebraska assign their electors using a proportional system. A candidate needs the vote of at least 270 electors—more…
Why do I want to be President of the United States?
I always try my best, get good grades, and I like to have a fun time. I like meeting new people, talking, and I am very responsible and trustworthy. I am very available. During most of my weekends, I have nothing to do!