American Government Ch. 13 – Section 3 pp.365-367

Presidential Selection: The Framers’ Plan

3 Methods of presidential election discussed by the Framers 1.

Election by Congress 2.

3.

Popular vote Electoral vote

How did the framers arrange for the electors to choose the President and Vice President?

* They would meet in their states, each casting votes for two different presidential candidates. The person who won the largest number of votes would be President; the runner-up, Vice President

Why this method?

They did not want either congressional or popular election of the President

What/who did the framers envision as an elector?

* respectable, well informed citizens

Political parties and electoral college * Parties nominated the presidential and vice presidential candidates, but also candidates for the electoral college – electors had to vote for their parties’ ticket

Election 1800 & 12 th Amendment * Jefferson & Burr tied for the Dem-Rep. party. 12 th Amendment – made it so electors had to designate which one you wanted as President and which one you wanted for V.P.

Terms

Presidential electors - Today, pledged to vote for their parties’ candidates Electoral college - Framers wanted to ensure that knowledgeable people elected the President