How the Electoral College Works
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Objective
I can explain how the Electoral College works in U.S. presidential elections.
Part 1 of 4
Warm-up video
PBS · 11:23Vetted channel
We don't generate video — this one is by PBS on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 4
Key concepts
3 concepts
- 1
Each state's number of electors is equal to its total number of members of Congress, which is the sum of its representatives in the House and its Senators.
- 2
If no presidential candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the president, with each state casting one vote, and the Senate chooses the vice president.
- 3
The Electoral College was created at the Constitutional Convention as a compromise between having Congress choose the president, state legislatures choose the president or having a national popular vote.
Part 3 of 4
Practice
3 questions
In the U.S. presidential election, what determines the number of electors each state gets?
Describe the steps taken after Election Day to certify the winner of the election.
Part 4 of 4
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Describe the four steps of how the Electoral College works today, as explained in the video.”
Sample answer included in the free materials
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