The Electoral College: How presidents are elected

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ABC News     10/23/2020:

It's a system that has been in place since the first presidential election.

The Electoral College: How presidents are elected

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...In every presidential election, dating back to the country's first in 1789, voters cast their ballots for a slate of electors, who are often party loyalists nominated by a state's political party to pledge support to the nominee...

...In 1787, the primary conflict between delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was over the process for electing the president. With dueling plans over either empowering Congress or a popular majority with the ability to elect the chief executive, the Founding Fathers ultimately settled on the Electoral College as a compromise.

The system was designed to both balance sectional interests between the north and south -- a divide that "mapped" the slavery issue -- and to shield the separation of powers by not giving Congress outsize influence over the presidency, said Richard Pildes, a professor of constitutional law at New York University and an expert on election law....

 

 

Schoolhouse Rock version:

 

Visit Congress Hall, Philadelphia, PA

Many of today's Senators and Representative couldn't squeeze into these tiny desks

Congress-Hall-Exterior-M.Edlow-VP-2200x1

image.png.5753ca120d89f4a54860bce4b01c3703.png

 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

OP - I still don't get it. So who are the 'electors'??? Sound like some sci-fi aliens who select our candidates, sight unseen or unknown.

So who are the 'electors'?? Not their purpose, but WHO?

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Who are the Electors in the Electoral College?

...   Political parties within states pick people to serve as electors, under rules approved by state legislatures. The electors are usually party leaders or members...

https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/who-are-the-electors-in-the-electoral-college

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My understanding is that it doesn't matter who the electors are, as long as they are known for supporting that particular candidate. That's why the political parties pick the electors. The votes are already in; the electors just make it official.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I guess what I'm asking is how do I know WHO. Could one be my next-door neighbor? Do I call my local county political party?

(Thought of those movies with the 'Pod People'.)

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How are electors chosen in NJ?
 

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Electors (New Jersey has 14 electoral votes (one for each congressional district (#12) and one for each Senator)  for each candidate for president and vice president (together) run on a slate sponsored by the candidates in the primary election, usually held in April of the presidential year (leap year). The winner of the popular vote in the general election is awarded the presidential electors of that candidate.

These electors meet in the third week in November; vote; and transfer the vote to the N.J. Department of State which forwards such results to the President of the U.S., Senate who, in turn, in January, counts the official votes cast by the electors of every state.

Names of NJ electors in this article (selected by state Democratic party):

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/elections/2020/09/30/election-2020-ex-linden-nj-city-lawyer-serves-presidential-elector/3485006001/

 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

MAKES SENSE NOW!!!  TY

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