The Electoral ProcessRoad to the Presidency

NominationCaucuses State Primary

National ConventionsRepublican

Ten delegates from each State.

3 District Delegates for each House member.

Additional delegates from representative of different capacities.

Democratic

4,049 delegates

3,253 selected by state primaries and caucuses

796 are Superdelegates

Notable Conventions1984 Republican 1968 Democratic

Fall Campaign

Election Day 2nd Tuesday after the 1st Monday

“Winner Takes All” Winning candidate takes all of the States electoral votes

2008 Electoral Votes

Electoral College

Rubber Stamp Vote Candidates are officially elected.

Candidates can win with electoral votes over popular vote.

Tie? Selection goes to the House of Representatives

Should the Electoral College be replaced?

Election of 1800Thomas Jefferson (D-R) John Adams (F)

Revolution of 1800

Effect of 1800 Results: Jefferson (D-R) (73)

Burr (D-R) (73) Adams (F) (65)

Pickney (F) (64)

12th Amendment (Electoral must choose between a President and a Vice-President).

Election of 1824Andrew Jackson John Quincy Adams

The Corrupt Bargain

Election of 2000George W. Bush (R) Al Gore (D)

2000 Electoral Map

Results Democrats Al Gore 50,996,116 266

George W. Bush 50,456,169 271

The controversy was over Florida’s 25 electoral votes. Gore sued for standards for a recount by the Florida State Supreme Court. Later researched showed that this hinder his chances and that a full statewide recount would have allowed him a victory.

New words in our vocabulary:

“The Butterfly Ballot” and “The Hanging Chad”