The Vote That Made the President: A Chronicle of the 2016 Electoral College Election

The 2016 United States presidential election was one of the most closely contested and controversial in recent history. Republican Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College, despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes. The outcome of the election hinged on a handful of key states, and the results were not known until the early hours of the morning after Election Day.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the 2016 Electoral College election and its implications for American democracy. We will explore the history of the Electoral College, the process by which electors are chosen, and the factors that contributed to Trump's victory. We will also discuss the ongoing debate over the Electoral College and its potential impact on future elections.

The Vote That Made the President

by David Dudley Field

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The History of the Electoral College

The Electoral College was established by the framers of the Constitution in 1787. At the time, there was concern that the popular vote would be too susceptible to manipulation and fraud. The Electoral College was designed as a way to insulate the presidency from the whims of the masses.

Each state is allocated a number of electors equal to its number of senators and representatives in Congress. The electors are chosen by the political parties in each state, and they pledge to vote for the party's nominee for president.

In most states, the winner of the popular vote wins all of the state's electoral votes. This is known as the "winner-take-all" system. However, there are a few states that have adopted a proportional representation system, in which the electoral votes are divided among the candidates based on the percentage of the popular vote they receive.

The Process of Electing the President

The Electoral College meets on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December to cast their votes for president and vice president. The candidate who receives a majority of the electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538) is elected president.

If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the president from among the top three finishers. The Senate then chooses the vice president from among the top two finishers.

This process has only occurred once in American history, in 1824. Andrew Jackson won the popular vote and the most electoral votes, but he did not receive a majority. The House of Representatives then chose John Quincy Adams as president.

The 2016 Electoral College Election

The 2016 Electoral College election was one of the most closely contested in history. Trump won the Electoral College by a vote of 304 to 227, despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.

Trump won key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin by narrow margins. These victories were enough to give him the Electoral College majority he needed to win the presidency.

Clinton won the popular vote by a margin of 2.86 million votes, or 48.2% to 46.1%. She also won the majority of large urban areas, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

However, Trump won the majority of rural and small-town areas. He also performed well among white working-class voters, who were drawn to his promises to bring back jobs and restore American greatness.

The 2016 election outcome was a major upset, and it has sparked a renewed debate over the Electoral College. Some critics argue that the Electoral College is undemocratic, because it allows a candidate to win the presidency without winning the popular vote. They also argue that the Electoral College gives too much power to small states, which are often less diverse than large states.

Supporters of the Electoral College argue that it is necessary to protect the interests of small states. They also argue that the Electoral College makes it more difficult for a demagogue to win the presidency.

The debate over the Electoral College is likely to continue for many years to come. It is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is important to understand the history of the Electoral College and its role in American democracy.

The 2016 Electoral College election was a historic event. It was the first time in nearly 200 years that a candidate won the presidency without winning the popular vote. The outcome of the election has sparked a renewed debate over the Electoral College and its role in American democracy.

It is important to understand the history of the Electoral College and its role in American democracy. Only then can we make informed decisions about its future.

The Vote That Made the President

by David Dudley Field

5 out of 5

FREE