Numbers 1-5
Numbers 6-10
numbers 11-15
Electoral College Criticisms
Electoral Voting Process
100

_____1. According to the diagram, on a Tuesday in November,

d. voters cast ballots for a slate of electors pledged to a presidential candidate.

100

_____6. How is the number of electors each state gets determined?

B) By the number of representatives in Congress

100

11. However, the candidate should always adhere to his or her ____________ when making promises.

principles

100

This term describes the method by which a candidate wins all of a state's electoral votes if they secure the majority of the popular vote in that state.

What is the winner-take-all system?

100

Step Two:
This election day, held every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, assigns electors to candidates based on the popular vote in each state.

What is the general election?

200

_____2. According to the diagram, what is Congress’s role in the Electoral College process?

d. On January 6, Congress counts the electoral votes.

200

7. The ______________ elects the president of the United States.

Electoral College

200

12. Voters who feel betrayed by their candidate may ___________ a ____________.

pursue; recall

200

Critics argue that the Electoral College is unfair because a candidate can win this vote and still lose the election.

What is the popular vote?

200

Step Three:
On this day in December, electors meet at their state capitals, such as Montgomery in Alabama, to cast their votes for president and vice president.

What is the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December?

300

_____3. To win the election, a presidential candidate must receive


c. a majority of the electoral votes.

300

8. Under this __________, it is possible for a candidate to lose the election even if she or he has won the ___________.

winner-take-all system; popular vote

300

_____13. According to the text, what is the Electoral College?

B) A system where each state gets a certain number of votes to choose the president.

300

The Electoral College system tends to concentrate presidential campaigns on states with the most of these.

What are electoral votes?

300

Step Four:
After casting their votes, electors prepare six certificates listing the state’s electoral results. These must arrive in Washington, D.C., by this date.

What is December 23?

400

_____4. When you vote for president, who are you actually voting for?

B) A group of electors

400

9. A candidate who is ____________ for votes may be tempted to make all sorts of campaign promises.

canvassing

400

_____14. What does the text say about the relationship between popular votes and winning the presidency?

D) The candidate who wins the Electoral College might not get the most votes from people across the country.

400

This group of candidates often finds it difficult to compete in the Electoral College system due to the focus on major parties and key states.

Who are third-party candidates?

400

Step Five:
This person, who serves as President of the Senate, presides over the joint session of Congress where electoral votes are counted on January 6.

Who is the Vice President?

500

_____5. What is the main purpose of the Electoral College?

B) To allow the president to be chosen by a group of experts

500

10. For example, he may promise a ____________ that he will be a champion for their cause.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

500

_____15. Why does the text mention the years 1824, 1876, and 2000?

C) These were years when the candidate who won the most votes from people across the country did not win the presidency.

500

The winner-take-all approach can result in this type of representation, where some states and voters receive less attention than others.

What is unequal representation?

500

Step Six:
During the January 6 joint session of Congress, the Vice President declares the winner, who must secure at least this number of electoral votes to win the presidency.

What is 270?