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Why do we have the Electoral College? The history of and arguments against the institution

CBS News
Summary
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82% Informative

The Electoral College is a controversial step in the U.S. election process that gives some more weight in presidential elections.

The concept emerged during the Constitutional Convention , which took place over a four-month period in 1787 .

Electors are allocated to each state roughly based on its population, with the number of electors equal to the state's total number of senators and House members.

Critics of the Electoral College say it leaves open the possibility that the outcome may not reflect the results of the popular vote.

The electors gather in each state in December to cast their votes for their state's winner.

Under the National Popular Vote Compact , states would agree to give their electoral votes to whichever candidate wins the national popular vote even if it doesn't match the outcome in their state.

VR Score

86

Informative language

88

Neutral language

39

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

54

Offensive language

not offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

short-lived

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