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Difficulty: MediumPresidential Nominations and the Electoral College

Which of the following is a correct comparison of the Electoral College system and a proposed national popular vote system?

Electoral College SystemProposed National Popular Vote System
Comparison IFocuses presidential campaign attention on a small number of competitive swing statesEncourages candidates to campaign in densely populated metropolitan areas to maximize vote turnout
Comparison IIEnsures that the candidate who wins the national popular vote is guaranteed to win the presidencyPrevents individual states from determining their own methods for selecting presidential electors
Comparison IIIReflects a purely participatory model of democracy by maximizing the direct influence of individual votersReflects an elite model of democracy by limiting citizen participation to state-level electors
Comparison IVStrengthens the influence of third-party candidates by making it easier for them to win individual electoral votesProtects the representation of small-population states by retaining their extra electoral weighting
  1. A
    Comparison II
  2. B
    Comparison III
  3. Comparison IAnswer
  4. D
    Comparison IV

Answer

Comparison I is the correct comparison because the Electoral College focuses campaign attention on a small number of competitive swing states, whereas a national popular vote system encourages candidates to campaign in densely populated metropolitan areas to maximize turnout.
Comparison I is correct because the winner-take-all method of allocating electors in almost all states incentivizes candidates to focus their campaigns on competitive swing states. Under a national popular vote system, candidates would focus on high-population areas to maximize their absolute vote totals efficiently.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the accuracy of the statements in Comparison I.
The statement about the Electoral College focusing on swing states is correct due to the winner-take-all allocation of electors, and the statement about a national popular vote driving campaigns to high-population areas is correct because every individual vote would count equally.
To verify the truth of the comparison.
2
Evaluate the accuracy of the statements in Comparison II.
The statement that the Electoral College guarantees the popular vote winner wins is incorrect (e.g., 2000, 2016). The statement that a national popular vote prevents states from determining their own elector-selection methods is also incorrect.
To eliminate the second comparison.
3
Evaluate the accuracy of the statements in Comparison III.
The statements mischaracterize the models of democracy: the Electoral College is closer to an elite model, while the popular vote is participatory.
To eliminate the third comparison.
4
Evaluate the accuracy of the statements in Comparison IV.
The Electoral College makes it harder, not easier, for third parties to win votes, and a popular vote would eliminate the small-state weighting rather than protecting it.
To eliminate the fourth comparison.

Key Concept

Presidential Nominations and the Electoral College
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Topics

Presidential Nominations and the Electoral College

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