Write an essay of 750-1,000 words in which you:1. Describe the structure and function of the...

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Write an essay of 750-1,000 words in which you:

1. Describe the structure and function of the electoral college.

How and when was it created in the U.S.?
Why was it created, and by whom?

2. Compare the electoral college to a popular vote approach for elections.

How does the electoral college system operate/function?
What are consequences of using an electoral college system versus a popular vote? Use the 2000 presidential election as an example.

3. Assess the value of an individual citizen’s vote under the electoral college system.

Why does the U.S. still use the electoral college for presidential elections today?

Utilize the required readings, academic websites, and the GCU Library as resources for this assignment.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

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Robert · Accepted Answer

1. Describe the structure and function of the Electoral College. 
The function of Electoral College is to select the president of the country. Electoral College 
consists of 538 electors and the party that receives majority of the votes i.e. 270 or more than 270 
is declared as a winner.  
The number of electors in each state is sum total of its U.S. representatives and U.S. Senators (2 
in each state). Overall, the structure of Electoral College consists of 538 electors of which 535 
are for congress members while other 3 represents Washington as added in 23
rd
 amendment. 
 How and when was it created in the U.S.? 
Electoral College system was approved in September, 1787. It is not that this system was 
finalized directly but founding fathers have considered numerous approaches before finalizing 
this one. 
First proposal was let the congress choose the president. But it was rejected as experts think that 
this will increase the corruption, political bargaining and interference from foreign powers 
(Kleppner, 1981). 2
nd
 proposal was to have state legislatures select the president but this 
approach also has its own shortcomings 3
rd
 approach was to have a popular vote for selection of 
president. This was rejected because the framers think that people will not have enough 
information about the candidates from the other states and thus prefer to choose only those that 
belong to their state or region (Kleppner, 1981).  
Finally, Electoral College system was that proposed an indirect election through electors is 
considered. The first design lasted for 4 presidential election and after that 12
th
 amendment to the 
constitution was adopted by 1804 that effectively resolves the scenario of vote tie between the 
parties (Taagepera, 2002). Since then there have been many changes but the fundamental 
workings of Electoral College systems remains the same.  
 Why was it created, and by whom?
It was created by the founding fathers of US Constitution. Below are the 2 reasons on why it was 
created: 
1. As per the Alexander Hamilton in Federalist #68 (Shklar, 1991), general public is not 
qualified enough and also lacks the information to select the appropriate Presidential 
candidate.

Write an essay of 750-1,000 words in which you: 1. Describe the structure and function of the electoral college. How and when was it created in the U.S.? Why was it created, and by whom? 2. Compare...

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