Using the map above with the two-letter abbreviation in the border of the appropriate states and the number of electoral votes that each state had in the 2000 presidential election, answer the following questions.
1. How many electoral votes does a nominee need in order to win the presidency?
2. What are the five states with the highest number of electoral votes?
California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia
California, Ohio, Florida, Texas, Maryland
California, New York, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania
3. What is the total number of electoral votes of these five states?
4. How many electoral votes does your state have?
A class of sixth graders is having an election using the Electoral College system. They have divided themselves into four "states." Refer to the chart to answer questions 5-10.
State
# of Citizens
# of Electors
Votes for Justin
Votes for Mia
5. Why does Minnesota get more electoral votes than Idaho? 6. How many popular votes did Mia win? 7. How many electoral votes does she get? 8. How many popular votes did Justin win? 9. How many electoral votes does Justin get? 10. Who won the election?
5. Why does Minnesota get more electoral votes than Idaho?
6. How many popular votes did Mia win?
7. How many electoral votes does she get?
8. How many popular votes did Justin win?
9. How many electoral votes does Justin get?
10. Who won the election?
11. In your opinion, is the Electoral College a good way to elect a president? Explain you answer and share with your teacher or class.
12. Which president was not elected by the Electoral College even though they had fewer popular votes than their opponents?
James Polk (1844)
Lyndon Johnson (1962)
Dwight Eisenhower (1952)
George W. Bush (2000)
The
Electoral Map