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Does your vote count? The Electoral College explained - Christina Greer

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You vote, but then what? Discover how your individual vote contributes to the popular vote and your state’s electoral vote in different ways--and see how votes are counted on both state and national levels.

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What would happen if the Electoral College tied? One of our favorite YouTube Educators, CGP Grey, answers that question and many more in this incredible video.
The United States chooses its president and vice president through indirect elections. Think of other countries that you have visited or heard of in the news (or countries where you may have friends and relatives). How do those countries choose their presidents? Do those countries elect a president or a prime minister? Do those countries have vice presidents?
America is commonly defined as a democracy. What are the various definitions of a democracy? After examining the definition(s), do you still think America is a democracy? Can you think of other countries that are democracies? How do they elect their leaders? Is the system similar to the US? What about countries that are not democracies? How are leaders chosen in non-democratic countries?
America has never had a female president or vice president. Can you think of other countries who have elected women as their president or vice president? What system does that particular country have?
http://www.ndi.org/
http://www.madeindemocracies.org/
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/peace/democracy_map/
Many people think the United States should get rid of the electoral college completely. They believe the winner-take-all system is not fair. Can we think of a compromise for those who want to get rid of the electoral college and those who want the president and vice president to be elected by the popular vote. What are some pros and cons of the electoral college? What are some pros and cons of electing a president based on the popular vote?
Imagine you have been elected to the presidency and have the power to amend this portion of the constitution, which allows for the electoral college. Would you change the system? Why or why not?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Producer Bridgette Spalding
  • Educator Christina Greer
  • Sound Designer Eric Hoffman
  • Director Mark Phillips
  • Narrator Christina Greer

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