The Electoral College: How it works and why we should be teaching it!
Here we are on the brink of another presidential election. Can you believe it? Four years rolls along a lot faster than it used to. Or maybe that’s ijust me. :) As I pondered what to write about this beautiful Sunday morning, I decided to go with what’s probably on all of our minds…what will Tuesday bring?
When I was a kid, in the back-country of west Texas, our history (and therefore government) teachers were almost always coaches. Mine definitely was. I loved him, but he was way more interested in football and basketball than he was in history. He was rarely in the classroom. We did a lot of “self study,” and if I read about the electoral college and how voting works, I don’t remember it. Or maybe I just didn’t understand it, so I skipped over it then my brain tossed it. In adulthood, when I finally voted myself, I was intrigued about why the popular vote didn’t necessarily decide the winner.
The Electoral College plays a central role in U.S. presidential elections, but it can often feel confusing or even mysterious. Understanding its purpose, history, and mechanics helps us grasp the system that shapes each election cycle. Teaching students of all ages, even our adult learners, about the Electoral College is crucial for creating informed citizens who comprehend not only how leaders are chosen but also why the system operates as it does. And most importantly, why voting is a fundamental right that should be exercised.
Today’s blog will hopefully educate anyone who’s a little fuzzy on the process or provide some material for teaching it. CBS Sunday Morning News had a great piece on the topic a week ago or so. Here’s a link to a video that might be helpful in the classroom or just for your own edification: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/electoral-college-explained-popular-vote-election/
Why the Electoral College Was Formed
The Electoral College was established by the framers of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 as a compromise solution for electing the president. At that time, there were differing opinions on whether Congress or the general populace should select the president. Some argued that a direct popular vote could lead to regionalism, where candidates focus solely on populous areas, ignoring smaller states. Others worried about the logistics and fairness of direct voting due to limited communication and transportation options. The Electoral College was designed as a middle ground, balancing influence between densely and sparsely populated states and allowing states some autonomy over how they contribute to the election.
The Electoral College was also intended to prevent situations where a candidate might win the presidency without broad support across the country. By requiring candidates to gain majority support from electors who represent different states, the framers aimed to create a system where a candidate’s appeal needed to be more geographically widespread.
How the Electoral College Works
In the Electoral College system, each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes based on its total number of U.S. Senators (always two) and its U.S. Representatives (which varies according to population). This formula gives more populous states more electoral votes while ensuring each state has a minimum of three votes. Washington, D.C. also has three electoral votes, despite not having voting representation in Congress.
On Election Day, when citizens cast their votes for president, they’re actually voting for a slate of electors chosen by their political party who have pledged to support that party’s candidate. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote takes all the state’s electoral votes—a practice known as “winner-takes-all.” Maine and Nebraska, however, allocate electoral votes by congressional district, allowing for a split in their electoral votes.
A candidate needs a majority of the 538 electoral votes—270 or more—to win the presidency. If no candidate reaches 270, the election is decided by the House of Representatives, with each state delegation having one vote. This has happened only twice in history, in 1800 and 1824, making it an unusual outcome but one that reinforces the structure of federalism and state representation in national elections.
This is why a candidate can win the popular vote but lose the election. The Electoral College prioritizes electoral votes over the national popular vote. A candidate may build a high national popular vote total by winning large margins in populous states but still lose if their opponent secures enough electoral votes in other states to reach the required 270. This system emphasizes winning states rather than a simple majority of individual votes nationwide.
Why It’s Important to Teach Students About the Electoral College
Develops Informed Citizens
Understanding the Electoral College fosters informed citizenship. When students learn the reasoning behind its creation, they can better understand the complex relationship between state and federal government. Knowing how the process works prepares students to participate meaningfully in elections and equips them to have informed discussions on the structure and future of the electoral system.Encourages Critical Thinking
The Electoral College presents students with opportunities to analyze and evaluate the pros and cons of this system compared to other potential voting methods. By examining historical and modern arguments for and against the system, students learn to think critically about representation, fairness, and democracy itself.Promotes Engagement with Civic Responsibilities
By understanding the mechanics and purpose of the Electoral College, students gain insight into how their vote matters, both directly in their state’s popular vote and indirectly in the Electoral College tally. Recognizing this layered impact can encourage higher voter turnout and greater engagement with local and state elections.Fosters Dialogue on Reform
Many debates surround the Electoral College, including arguments about whether it’s still effective or if reforms are needed. Teaching students about the Electoral College opens the door to discussions on government structure, potential reforms, and what representation should look like in a democracy. This kind of engagement encourages students to explore the values and priorities that shape our governance.
This is a pretty simplistic explanation, but I hope it’s helpful. The Electoral College is a unique and integral part of the American democratic process. By understanding its origins, operation, and impact, students gain a comprehensive view of how leaders are elected and the broader implications of U.S. federalism. Educating students of all ages on the Electoral College nurtures informed, engaged citizens who are better prepared to participate in democracy and advocate for their beliefs with a well-rounded understanding of our electoral system.
In our instruction, we should emphasize the importance of voting. As I’ve mentioned before, voting is one of our civic responsibilities that tests our critical thinking skills. Decoding complex and media-muddled arguments, evaluating core facts (and lies), and deciding which candidate would do a better job—all of these tasks require the ability to think critically. No matter where a student’s views take them or which candidates and issues they choose to support or oppose, one thing remains true across the political spectrum: voting is essential.
Yet, some may still question this. In a city or state filled with hundreds of thousands of voters—or as one of 300 million in the U.S.—it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “my vote doesn’t really matter.” But history tells a different story. In Alaska in 2008, a congressional race was decided by a single vote. In New Hampshire in 1974, a Senate seat was won by just two votes, and back in 1839, a Massachusetts governor’s election came down to a margin of two votes (Biemolt 2015).
When many people adopt the mindset that “one vote doesn’t matter,” it can result in significant numbers staying home, diminishing their collective impact. This absence not only weakens their influence on the issues they care about but also gives others with opposing views greater control over decisions that affect everyone.
This is why it’s critical to think carefully about our civic responsibilities and the importance of voting—not only to analyze candidates and issues thoughtfully but to recognize the impact of our participation. After all, the idea that “my one vote doesn’t matter” doesn’t hold up when we consider it more deeply, and if nothing else, we should be teaching our students to think more deeply.
If you haven’t voted already, I encourage you to get out there on Tuesday and do so.
Cheers to another historic week!
