Today's voters in each state (and the District of Columbia) don't actually vote for President but choose a slate of electors who then pick the President. <small>
knife</small>
Hence, the Electoral College.
For those who have forgotten their high school civics, the Electoral College was a compromise between <small>
knife</small> those Founding Fathers who wanted direct election of the President and those who wanted Congress to pick the President.
This year the 538 electors--the same number as there are representatives from the 50 states (plus three for D.C.) in the House and Senate--will gather <small>
knife</small> in state capitals
on Dec 18 to cast their ballots. On
Jan 6, the ballots will be counted, and the next President will be chosen.
A TIE? What happens if Bush and Gore each get 269 electoral votes (there are 538 electoral votes). The <small>
knife</small> race would go to Congress--and its next
House would cast its votes for President. But instead of 435 members voting individually, each state delegation would have one vote.
Right now, that would tend to favor Bush, since Republicans outnumber Democrats in 27 state delegations and they will probably keep this slim advantage. But would House <small>
knife</small> members feel obliged to follow the wishes of their states, their districts or their parties? All of which could be in conflict? Or would they support whoever won the popular vote? Meanwhile, the Senate would pick the Veep. Senators vote individually.
Don't concentrate solely on "your popular vote!" You need to beat "your" Congressional bush <small>knife</small> to get them to make the "best" ballot cast!
Knife content ~ 6
[This message has been edited by GigOne (edited 10-22-2000).]