The Electoral College Was Created To Protect Us Citizens

The Electoral College Was Created To Protect Us Citizens A

Instructions The Electoral College was created to protect US citizens against mob rule. Mob rule is the control of a lawful government system by a mass of people through violence and intimidation. However, some Americans question the legitimacy of this process. Pick one election where the outcome of the popular vote and the electoral college vote differed to create an argument in favor of or opposed to the use of the electoral college. List at least three valid points to support your argument. Present you argument in a PowerPoint presentation. As you complete your presentation, be sure to: Use speaker's notes to expand upon the bullet point main ideas on your slides, making references to research and theory with citation. Proof your work Use visuals (pictures, video, narration, graphs, etc.) to compliment the text in your presentation and to reinforce your content. Do not just write a paper and copy chunks of it into each slide. Treat this as if you were going to give this presentation live. Presentation Requirements (APA format) Length: 8-10 substantive slides (excluding cover and references slides) Font should not be smaller than size 16-point Parenthetical in-text citations included and formatted in APA style References slide (a minimum of 2 outside scholarly sources plus the textbook and/or the weekly lesson for each course outcome) Grading 15.0 pts The student uses speaker notes to add details and expand upon bullet points. 10.0 pts The student identifies and provides solid background on election. 45.0 pts The student provides three or more valid points to support argument. 10.0 pts The student provides 8-10 substantive slides plus title and reference slide, 10.0 pts The student masterfully uses visuals (pictures, video, narration, graphs, etc.) to compliment the text in presentation and to reinforce content.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The American electoral system has long been a topic of debate, especially regarding the role and efficacy of the Electoral College. Originally established to safeguard citizens against the potential tyranny of majority rule—often called “mob rule”—the Electoral College was designed as a buffer between the populace and the selection of the president (Hitchcock, 2020). The system aims to balance the interests of both populous and less-populous states, thereby preventing any single group of voters from disproportionately influencing national leadership. However, cases have arisen where the popular vote diverged from the Electoral College outcome, raising questions about the system's legitimacy and effectiveness. Analyzing one such election provides insights into whether the Electoral College serves its intended purpose or if reforms are necessary.

Background of the 2000 Presidential Election

The 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore is a prominent example where the popular vote and the Electoral College vote diverged. Al Gore secured approximately 500,000 more individual votes nationwide than George W. Bush (Newberry, 2001). Despite this, Bush won the election through the Electoral College with 271 votes to Gore’s 266 after a contentious recount process centered in Florida. This election highlights the potential disconnect between the democratic will expressed through the popular vote and the electoral mechanism intended to achieve stability and safeguard minority interests (Brennan Center, 2020). Studying this election allows for evaluation of the Electoral College's advantages and disadvantages, especially considering the arguments made both in favor of and against its continued use.

Supporting the Electoral College: Preservation of Federalism

The primary argument supporting the Electoral College is its role in protecting the federal structure of the United States. It ensures that less-populous states retain influence in presidential elections, preventing larger urban states from dominating national politics (Kaufmann, 2019). By allocating electoral votes based on state representation, the system encourages presidential candidates to campaign across diverse regions rather than focusing solely on densely populated urban centers. This distribution aligns with the constitutional intent of balancing state sovereignty with national interests, ultimately fostering political stability and inclusiveness (Edwards, 2019).

• Visual: Map showing electoral vote distribution across states in 2000 election.
• Speaker notes: Explain how federalism influences electoral strategies and voter representation.

Counterpoint: Disproportionate Influence and Popular Vote Discrepancy

Critics argue that the Electoral College diminishes the democratic essence of elections by allowing a candidate to win without the popular vote, as occurred in 2000 and more recently in 2016. This can undermine public trust and perception of legitimacy. The system's winner-takes-all approach in most states amplifies the disparity, often marginalizing voters in non-marginalized regions (Brennan Center, 2020). Such anomalies question whether the Electoral College adequately reflects the democratic will and whether it serves the best interest of the citizens.

• Visual: Graph showing the difference between popular vote and electoral vote in key elections.
• Speaker notes: Discuss how the discrepancy impacts public trust and electoral legitimacy.

Supporting the Electoral College: Stability and Reduced Fraud

Another argument in favor of the Electoral College is its role in promoting a stable transfer of power by insulating the process from potential chaos associated with direct national voting. The system reduces the likelihood of widespread electoral fraud and recount chaos, as votes are concentrated at the state level, allowing for more manageable oversight (Kaufmann, 2019). Additionally, by requiring a candidate to secure a broad, geographical coalition, the electoral process discourages regional polarization and encourages consensus-building. This fosters a degree of political stability that pure popular vote systems may lack (Edwards, 2019).

• Visual: Chart illustrating electoral votes won by candidates in 2000 election.
• Speaker notes: Explain how system design contributes to national stability and legitimacy.

Counterpoint: Potential for Minority Rule and Reduced Voter Impact

However, critics contend the Electoral College can result in minority rule, where the candidate favored by a majority of voters across the country may lose the election. Since electoral votes are allocated by state, and winner-take-all methods dominate, voters in predominantly one-party states can feel disenfranchised. This diminishes voter impact, particularly in swing states, leading to a focus on specific regions rather than national issues (Brennan Center, 2020). Such concerns further question whether the system adequately serves the democratic principles it was designed to uphold.

• Visual: Pie chart showing voter distribution and influence in swing states.
• Speaker notes: Analyze how state-based allocation affects voter engagement and democracy.

Conclusion

The debate over the Electoral College hinges on balancing federalism, stability, and democratic principles. While the system was designed to prevent mob rule and protect minority interests, instances of divergences between the popular vote and electoral outcome reveal its flaws. Both arguments—those emphasizing the importance of balancing state influence and those highlighting the need for a more direct democratic process—continue to shape ongoing discussions about electoral reform. Whether to preserve the Electoral College or consider alternative systems remains a critical question in safeguarding the legitimacy and fairness of American presidential elections.

References

• Brennan Center for Justice. (2020). The Electoral College and its impact on elections. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/electoral-college-and-its-impact-elections
• Edwards, G. C. (2019). Why the Electoral College is still vital for American democracy. Journal of Political Science, 45(3), 344–359.
• Hitchcock, M. (2020). The origins and functions of the Electoral College. American Historical Review, 125(2), 461–477.
• Kaufmann, A. (2019). Federalism and electoral influence in the United States. Publius, 49(4), 569–589.
• Newberry, P. (2001). The 2000 election and its aftermath. University Press.