Changing the Electoral College

This video originally aired on Thursday, February 23, 2006.

About This Video

From the Washington Journal, Former Sen. Birch Bayh (D-IN), and Campaign for National Popular Vote, Advisory Board Member is part of a bipartisan group that has drafted legislation to change the way electors are awarded to reflect the outcome of the national popular vote rather than state by state results.

Discussion Questions

  1. How does the Electoral College work?
  2. According to Sen. Bayh, what is wrong with the electoral college? What does he want to change?
  3. In your opinion would these proposed changes be unconstitutional? Do you agree with his statement that people in two-thirds of the United States don’t have a reason to vote under the electoral college system?
  4. What do you think the chances are of Congress changing our voting system? What is your opinion of the Electoral College?

Keywords

Amendments, Campaigns and Elections, Electoral College, Events and Trends, Majority Rule, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, President, U.S. CONSTITUTION

Related Subjects/Topics

  • Political Participation
  • Campaigns and Elections
  • U.S. Constitution

Speakers

  • Former Sen. Birch Bayh (D-IN)
  • Paul Orgel
    host
    Washington Journal