Tom sillybrating
just took Nevada
not seats but electoral votes
under constitutional republic, each state gets so many electoral votes depending on population
win the state, get those votes to 270+ to win
Constitutional Republic Electoral Votes
In the United States, the Electoral College is a mechanism established by Article II of the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President. As a constitutional republic, the Electoral College is a representative system where each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes based on its congressional delegation (number of Senators and Representatives).
Key Facts:
Each state has a minimum of 3 electoral votes (District of Columbia has 3 electoral votes as well) and a maximum of 55 electoral votes (California has 55).
The total number of electoral votes is 538.
Electors are chosen by each state, usually through a popular vote within the state, and are bound to vote for the candidate who wins the most votes in their state (except in rare cases where electors may choose to vote differently).
The candidate who receives the majority of the electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538) wins the presidency.
Historical Context:
The Electoral College was designed to balance the power between smaller and larger states, ensuring that neither faction dominates the election process.
The 12th Amendment (1804) altered the original process, allowing electors to vote separately for president and vice president.
Role in Constitutional Republic:
The Electoral College is an essential component of the constitutional republic system, providing a mechanism for indirect election of the president and vice president.
It reflects the principles of federalism, where power is distributed between the federal government and individual states, and representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Comparison to Direct Democracy:
In a direct democracy, citizens would vote directly for president and vice president, whereas in a constitutional republic like the United States, citizens vote for electors who then cast their electoral votes.
The Electoral College system allows for a more nuanced representation of public opinion, as electors may consider factors beyond just popular vote totals when casting their ballots.
In Conclusion:
The Electoral College is a cornerstone of the United States’ constitutional republic system, providing a unique mechanism for electing the president and vice president. Its design balances the interests of smaller and larger states, reflecting the principles of federalism and representative democracy.