Post Midterm Study stuff

Electoral College

A body that formally elects the president and vice president of the United States, established in Article II of the Constitution.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A clause that counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for purposes of representation in Congress, giving slave states more electoral power.

Winner-Take-All System

A system used by 48 states and the District of Columbia where all electoral votes are awarded to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state.

Faithless Elector

An elector in the Electoral College who does not vote for the candidate who won the popular vote in their state.

National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC)

An agreement among participating states to award their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote.

Electoral Count Reform Act of 2023

Legislation aimed at clarifying the process of appointing electors and preventing changes to that process after Election Day.

House of Representatives Runoff

If no presidential candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes, the election is decided by the House, which votes among the top candidates.

The 12th Amendment

Established the procedure for electing the president and vice president, including the creation of a separate ballot for each.

Baca v. Hickenlooper

A federal court case that ruled states cannot penalize faithless electors, asserting their right to vote as they choose.

Campaign Finance

The funding of candidates' campaign activities, which may include federal funding, private donations, and spending by interest groups.

Partisan Divide

The division between political parties in public opinion, particularly regarding the Electoral College, where Republicans tend to support it and Democrats oppose it.

Electoral College Discrepancy

The situation when a candidate wins the presidency by receiving the majority of Electoral College votes while losing the national popular vote.

Electoral College Structure

The total is 538 electors; a candidate needs a majority of 270 votes to win the presidency.

Presidential Nominations

The process through which political parties select their candidates for president, involving primaries and caucuses.

Political Parties

Organizations of people with shared political beliefs aiming to influence government policy and elect candidates to office.

Independent Voters

Voters who do not affiliate with a political party, often increasing in number and thereby impacting electoral dynamics.

Swing States

States where both major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, making them critical for winning Electoral College votes.

Census Impacts on Electoral College

The United States Census, conducted every ten years, can change the allocation of electors based on population shifts.

Voter Suppression

Strategies or tactics used to discourage or prevent specific groups of people from voting, often affecting minority populations.

Mail-in Voting

A method of voting in which a ballot is mailed to voters, allowing them to vote remotely rather than in person.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that raise and spend money to elect or defeat political candidates, often representing specific interests or causes.

Disenfranchisement

The removal of the right to vote from individuals or groups, often based on race, age, or legal status.

Incumbent Advantage

The electoral edge afforded to candidates who are already in office, often due to name recognition and established donor networks.

Electoral Vote Allocation

The process by which states determine how many electoral votes they have based on their congressional representation, influenced by population.

Ballot Initiatives

Proposals or laws that are placed on the ballot for voters to decide directly, often used to bypass legislature.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group in elections.