Consider This from NPR

The Electoral College: Why Do We Do It This Way?

Nov 3, 2020
The Electoral College can lead to presidents winning without the popular vote. It has deep historical roots tied to voting rights and population disparities. The podcast dissects why recent Republican support for it is rising. Listeners learn how this system shapes campaign strategies and the potential impacts of proposed reforms like the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. It's a riveting exploration of a cornerstone of American democracy that highlights ongoing debates about representation and fairness.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

2016 Election

  • In 2016, Donald Trump won the presidency despite Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote by almost 3 million votes.
  • 80,000 votes across Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin secured Trump's victory due to the Electoral College system.
INSIGHT

Electoral College Basics

  • The Electoral College is a system where electors, not the popular vote, choose the president.
  • This system gives disproportionate weight to swing states, allowing a candidate to win even without the popular vote.
INSIGHT

Electoral College Origins

  • The Electoral College originated during the 1787 Constitutional Convention due to debates on presidential selection.
  • Concerns about popular vote fairness and the influence of slavery led to its creation.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app