Al Jazeera English published this video item, entitled “What does the US Electoral College actually do? | Inside Story” – below is their description.
As many as 150 million votes are expected to be cast in this year’s U-S presidential election.
But the votes that really count will belong to just 538 people: the presidential electors. That’s who voters are really choosing when they tick a box for Donald Trump or Joe Biden. It’s a system that’s unique – and often confusing for outsiders.
Is the institution from the 1780’s still fit-for-purpose in the 21st century?
Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom
Guests:
Kesha Ram – Democratic elector candidate in Vermont
Jennifer Victor – George Mason University
Jim Wass – Republican Elector Candidate in Maryland
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Al Jazeera English YouTube Channel
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In This Story: Electoral College
The United States Electoral College is the group of presidential electors required by the Constitution to form every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president. Each state appoints electors equal in number to its congressional delegation. Federal office holders cannot be electors.
Of the current 538 electors, an absolute majority of 270 or more electoral votes is required to elect the president and vice president. If no candidate achieves an absolute majority there, a contingent election is held by the United States House of Representatives to elect the president, and by the United States Senate to elect the vice president.
The appropriateness of the Electoral College system is a matter of ongoing debate. Supporters argue that it is a fundamental component of American federalism by preserving the Constitutional role of the states in presidential elections. Candidates must appeal to a broad and diverse set of states rather than focusing only on the few U.S. cities with the highest population densities.
Critics argue that the Electoral College system is less democratic than a direct popular vote and that the College violates the democratic principle of “one person, one vote.” Thus, a president may be elected who did not win the national popular vote, as occurred in 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016.