Purpose This assignment provides you with an opportunity to evaluate why the electoral college is relevant in America’s democratic system and discuss how the electoral college protects citizens from u

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Purpose

This assignment provides you with an opportunity to evaluate why the electoral college is relevant in America’s democratic system and discuss how the electoral college protects citizens from unequal representation in the voting process.

This assignment is aligned with the module learning objectives #3 and 4. 

Directions

Please follow the journal guidelines to complete the assignment. 

  1. Watch the short video, PragerU. (2015, May 8). Do You Understand the Electoral College? [Length 5:02]Links to an external site..  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6s7jB6-GoU
  2. Read this article from BBC News August 2020 US election 2020: What is the electoral college?Links to an external site. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53558176
  3. Read this article from Washington Post July 2020 Supreme Court says a state may require presidential electors to support its popular-vote winner: The court announced its decision Monday (MEDIAFIRE https://www.mediafire.com/folder/cnwi50zb8wwva/SOC)
  4. Read this article from PBS 11/6/16. Electoral College is ‘vestige’ of slavery, say some Constitutional scholarsLinks to an external site. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/electoral-college-slavery-constitution
  5. Read this report by the PEW RESEARCH CENTER 3/13/20. A majority of Americans continue to favor replacing Electoral College with a nationwide popular voteLinks to an external site. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/03/13/a-majority-of-americans-continue-to-favor-replacing-electoral-college-with-a-nationwide-popular-vote/
  6. Watch the short video, National Popular Vote!. (2024, April 22). Introduction: What It Is – Why It’s Needed [Length 9:37]Links to an external site.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMkQvyq47Vk

After watching the videos and reading the news articles, please answer the following questions by using examples from each source. Remember to use complete sentences and proper grammar.

  • If the election relied solely on the popular vote, how might many Americans votes ‘not count’ toward the election outcome? Explain.
  • How do supporters of the National Popular Vote Act contradict the idea above?
  • What are your conclusions about the Electoral College? Support your answer.  Include sociological concepts and theories where possible.