With Halloween and election season here, it’s a great time to clear up some mysteries — like: Why is the United States a constitutional republic and not a pure democracy? How does the Electoral College fit in?
The U.S. as a Republic
In a republic, we elect representatives to make decisions based on the Constitution instead of having everything decided by majority rule. This shields us from a potential “tyranny of the majority” that could haunt 👻 pure democracies and helps ensure everyone’s rights are protected, whether in the majority or minority.
How the Electoral College Fits In
The Electoral College represents part of this protection. It is designed to balance power across states, protecting smaller ones from being lost in the shadow of larger states. Setting it up this way helps ensure presidential candidates focus on the whole nation — not just on densely populated regions. Here’s how it works:
- 🔢 Each State Has Electoral Votes: Each state is allocated electoral votes based on its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress. For example, smaller states like Vermont and Wyoming each have three electoral votes, while populous states like California and Texas have 54 and 40, respectively.
- 🌀 Majority Rule with a Twist: In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote receives all of that state’s electoral votes, a method known as “winner-takes-all,” but some states buck the trend (we’re looking at you, Maine & Nebraska!). This means a candidate can lose the national popular vote but still win the presidency by securing the majority of electoral votes. The first candidate to 270 electoral votes wins!
- ⚖️ Protecting Balance: By using this system, the Electoral College incentivizes candidates to campaign across the country, addressing diverse state and regional needs rather than focusing solely on population-dense areas.
So, as you enjoy some Halloween fun, remember that our constitutional structure is designed to protect and keep things balanced so every state has a voice and no one gets ‘ghosted’ in presidential elections! 🎃 ☠️ 🍬 🏚️ 👻 🫣 💀
Create Your Own Electoral College Map!
Track the race to 270 votes!
Will you be watching the election results on November 5th? If so, download this FREE Electoral College Map coloring sheet – print as many copies as you like so you and your family can keep track of each candidate’s race to 270. All you need is something blue and red to color with!
Download your FREE Electoral Map Coloring Sheet HereIf you are more into digital options, you can upload our coloring sheet into your iPad or tablet, OR another great resource for tracking the presidential race is the interactive map at 270towin.com. Click states to create your own 2024 election forecast.