An interdisciplinary assignment for U. S. History and U. S. Government

To be presented in Power Point

Introduction

In formal terms, the President is chosen according to the provisions of the Constitution. In practice however, the President is elected through an altogether extraordinary process that is not very well understood by most of the American people. That process is a combination of constitutional provisions, a few state and federal laws, and, in largest measure, a number of practices born of the nation's political parties.

To make sense of that very complex matter, you must understand what the framers had in mind when they designed the presidential election process.

Project is to be done individually or in-groups and as a power point presentation.

Prior to the beginning of the task, you will need to assemble and review the resources to provide the answers to the following questions.

Using the suggested resources, you will be able to do the following activities:

1. Recognize the components of the Electoral College as in Article II, Section I, and Clause 2 of the U. S. Constitution.
2. List the changes brought about by the 12^th. And 23^rd. Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
3. Describe the controversies during the elections of 1800 and 1824.
4. Discuss the impact of popular vote -vs- the electoral vote in the elections of 1876

and 1888.

5. Explain the importance of the third party presidential candidates in the elections

Of 1860,1912,1948,1968,1980, and 1992.

6. In the elections of 1800,1824,1860,1876,1888,1912,1948,1968,1980,and 1992 :

• Who were the candidates?
• What were the election outcome statistics?
• Which parties were involved in these elections?
• What was the significance of each election?

1. Using the 2000 U. S. population map you will need to answer the following questions:

• What state has the most electoral votes? Second most? Third most?

• If 270 Electoral votes are needed to win an election, name the minimum number

Of states needed to be elected.

• If you were running for president, in what states would you campaign?

After completing the tasks, you should be able to use decision - making skills to determine the effectiveness of the Electoral College.

Using the resources provided, answer the questions in the Task and convert the questions and answers to power point. Include maps, graphs, and charts. Please provide answers to the questions below.

Class will be divided into groups of 2 or 3 and each member will be given a specific assignment to be responsible for. All should give part of the presentation.

1. What three events combined to change the intent of the original Electoral College System?
2. What major change did the 12^th. Amendment make in the Electoral College

System?

3. What are the three major weaknesses in the Electoral College System?
4. Are there reform proposals? If so, which is the most widely supported?
5. On which grounds do some defend the present Electoral College System?
6. How many electors does each state have and how are they chosen?

http://www.archives.gov/

http://www.fec.gov/pages/ecmenu2.htm

http://www.fec.gov/pages/ecworks.htm

http://www.google.com

One 2000 Population Map of U. S.

One copy of the United States Constitution

After the People Vote: Steps in Choosing the President, Walter Berns, 1983, American enterprise Institute

Guide to U. S. Elections, Congressional Quarterly

McClenaghan, William A., Magruder's American Government, 75^th. Edition, Needham Mass., Prentice Hall 1993.

Davidson, Lytle, Staff, American Journey, The Quest for Liberty - Since 1865, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice Hall 1992.

Divine, Robert A., America, The President and The Dream Vol. I: The Early Years, Glenview Ill., ScottForsman.1992.

You will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• explanation, discussion, and evaluating of the questions
• use of the resources
• use of technology and the Internet
• presentation of maps, graphs, and charts
• format and presentation of Power Point
• creativity and use of imagination
• group participation

Voters will finally cast presidential ballots in November. However, their votes do not actually elect the president. They select electors, who in turn select the President. The Electoral College system fails to ensure that the choice for President accurately reflects the will of the majority of the voters.

The electoral system is not perfect. For example, it is possible that the loser of the popular vote will nonetheless win the presidency.

A number of plans to reform the Electoral College System have been debated over the last 200 years. Even the most widely supported of those proposals, direct popular vote, and will not likely be adopted in the foreseeable future.

• TEKS

  U. S. Government	11b,12c,21a,21b,21c,21d,22a,22b,22c,23a,23b
  U. S. History	US4c, US9b, US17b, US18a, US18c, US24a, US24b,US24C,  US24d, US24g, US25a,US25b,US25c, US25d, US26a,US26b,

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