Amy LevinEmily Smith

Joanna KornsteinCaroline Lacy

Under the winner-take-all feature of the electoral college, the candidate who wins the majority of the popular vote within the state wins that state’s slate of electors. Even if a candidate wins by 51%, he will receive every electoral vote for that state. The number of electors per state is based on the number of Congressman.

For this reason, the winner of the nationwide popular vote may not always win the presidency.

Maine and Nebraska do not use the winner-take-all system.

Candidates are unable to win just by getting the electoral votes of the larger states like California, Texas, New York, and Florida.

Candidates must also focus on the smaller states and the swing states.

This means that the candidates have to campaign in a larger area than just the most populated cities.

The Electoral College system hinders third party candidates because the third party must receive the majority of the popular votes in the states in order to receive any electoral votes. Even with a strong showing in popular vote, a third party candidate will likely receive no electoral votes.

The Electoral College has not been abolished because it:Forces candidates to campaign in smaller

states. By reinforcing the roles of every state, the Electoral College highlights federalism in America.

It bolsters the two-party system in American politics. It prevents a large number of third parties from gaining representation. A third party gaining as little as 5% of the popular vote will not have representation as it does in many other countries.