The Pendulum
Li
0
Swing
Votes
According to various polls,
several states still lack a
popular candidate and
could "swing" the election
either way.
Florida
27 electoral votes
Ohio
20 electoral votes
Pennsylvania
21 electoral votes
FEATURES
Thursday, October 7, 2004 • Page iV
est
Electoral College
What is it, how does it work and why it’s important
r:.nHace Buckman
Reporter
The Electoral College is not a new university campus. Every
four years, our country uses the Electoral College as a voting sys-
‘""^Each weSSrtlm!a state is given a certain number of elec-
f n three factors: population, the number of Senate seats
sta^and tL number of seats held by the state in the
Suse^of Representatives. This number can change as a state s
^°CStfonirrotheld to decide who will represent the state as
nn dectr These individuals are chosen by the major political par-
• Tindeoendent parties either during their conventions or
Itou'S, simpirlesigna.ion. Electoni are chosen before each party
names Ihcir web site, the electors for
St votes for the candidate who receives the popular vote
each state cast tabulated on election night.
The Electoral College has been criticized
over the past few years. Many U.S. citizens
want the system reformed because they do not
directly elect the president, the electors do.
they will remain unopened until just before Inauguration Day in
early January.
The Electoral College has been criticized over the past few
years. Many U.S. citizens want the system reformed because they
do not directly elect the president, the electors do. The fact that ^
is possible that a candidate who receives the popular vote can lose
the election upsets many voters.
A candidate needs 270 of the 538 electoral votes to be elected
president.
Contact Candace Buckman at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.
Counting Votes
4 list o f states with the mosiarid-lecLSl^lectoral votes ^
Most
Californijn-55
Total Eiectbral Votes: 538^ \ i j r
V 11,
-f“
) I t "“Votes ne^d-tff\ S L'''
Texas;''34 Votes f ■■■ | \ M9fetanfi^,^atY'
S ' f .1....... “if’" /
27p~^j Souih ^akdfa: 3]^otes
New York: \l votes;
ri
D
orida: 27 votes
lilinois: 21 votes
\
\
fit; "3 vqteis
Maine: 4 votes