Civics 101

Ask Civics 101: Why do we have the Electoral College?

09.18.2020 - By NHPRPlay

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The Electoral College was created as a bulwark, a barrier between the people and the vote for the president. The founders feared giving people too much power so they created a system that put a check on the people's vote by "men of virtue" (and they were all men at the time). It is because of the Electoral College that a person can win the presidency even if they lose the popular vote — but how does it work, exactly?

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