Unit 3 Essay Examples: "The Electoral College is the best way to elect a president. Discuss "

This Study Note contains the key terms that you would need to include if you chose to answer this question, along with 10 great examples that you could use to support your arguments.

So, before having a go at answering the question, make sure you can explain what each of the following terms mean:

• Electoral College
• Presidential Election
• Article III of the Constitution
• 270 to win
• Every Vote Counts Amendment
• Electoral College Votes
• Maine
• Nebraska
• Congressional District Allocation
• Bush v Gore 2000
• 12th Amendment
• Joint Ticket
• Balanced ticket
• State Electors
• Faithless Electors
• Constitutional Amendment

Contemporary Examples

The electoral college is the best way to elect a president

1. In 2010 the Electoral College Votes were adjusted to account for population changes
2. In 2008 and 2012 there were no faithless electors.
3. The 2005 amendment titled Every Vote Counts failed, meaning people believe the Electoral College is good

The electoral college is not the best way to elect a president

1. In 2000 George Bush won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote, and thus became President
2. In 1992,19% of American’s voted for Ross Perot and he received no Electoral College representation
3. In 2012 Obama won Florida by 0.88% and took all 29 of the Electoral College Votes

Historical Examples

The electoral college is the best way to elect a president

1. In 1972, Maine switched to the more proportional Congressional District Allocation method.
2. In 2000, Washington DC Elector Barbara Lett-Simmons cast no electoral votes despite being pledged to the Democrats

The electoral college is not the best way to elect a president

1. In 1824 John Quincy Adams was elected President despite not achieving a majority in the popular vote or electoral college
2. In 1888, Benjamin Harrison was elected President despite losing the popular vote by 90,000.