Lesson 82 of 84 · Government
⭐ 30 XP🏛️ Civic SquareThe Electoral College
The Electoral College is a unique system established by the Constitution for electing the President and Vice President of the United States.
🎯 Your mission
Decide what YOU would do in their shoes.
⚡ The twist
A 'fair rule' for one group can be unfair for another.
Mind = Blown
🤯 Women in New Zealand could vote 27 years before women in the US.
Then & Now
🏛️ The rule you'll meet today is still on the books — sort of.
The Electoral College is a unique system established by the Constitution for electing the President and Vice President of the United States. Rather than a direct popular vote, citizens cast their ballots for a slate of electors pledged to support specific candidates. Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress, which corresponds to the total number of its senators and representatives. To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of the electoral votes, totaling 270 out of 538. This system aims to balance the influence of populous states with less populous ones in the election process.
Key Facts
The Electoral College elects the President and Vice President.
Candidates need 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Electoral votes are based on a state's representation in Congress.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency?
Why this still matters
Your school has rules. Where do they come from? Who decides them?
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Make up a fair rule for your family. Pitch it.
For the dinner table
“What's one rule at our house you'd change if you could vote on it?”
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