1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: All right, buckle up, everybody, because today we are diving 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:09,080 deep into a system that's caused more arguments than well, 3 00:00:09,439 --> 00:00:11,439 just about anything I can think of. Oh yeah, yeah, 4 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:12,839 the electoral college. 5 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:14,279 Speaker 2: Oh that's a good one. 6 00:00:14,519 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: I think most people think they've got to figure it out. 7 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:16,760 Speaker 3: Right. 8 00:00:16,879 --> 00:00:20,719 Speaker 1: We vote the person with the most votes wins, end 9 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:21,239 of story. 10 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:22,559 Speaker 2: If only were that simple. 11 00:00:22,679 --> 00:00:25,839 Speaker 3: So what's the real story, Well, the US presidential elections 12 00:00:25,879 --> 00:00:28,079 are a lot more like a giant game of capture 13 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:31,440 the Flag than just a simple popularity contest. 14 00:00:31,559 --> 00:00:34,840 Speaker 1: Okay, capture the flag. I'm intrigued. So you're saying it's 15 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:37,560 not just about who gets the most individual votes exactly. 16 00:00:37,679 --> 00:00:40,240 Speaker 3: Think of it this way. Each state is like its 17 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:43,880 own playing field, and the prize is electoral votes. Okay, 18 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,719 and the candidate who wins the majority of those electoral votes, well, 19 00:00:47,759 --> 00:00:48,759 they win the whole shebang. 20 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:51,799 Speaker 1: All right, lay it on me. What's the magic number 21 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:53,159 to unlock the presidency? 22 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:54,719 Speaker 2: It's two hundred and seventy, two. 23 00:00:54,679 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 1: Hundred and seventy electoral votes. 24 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:58,719 Speaker 3: Yeap, two hundred and seventy. That's the golden ticket to 25 00:00:58,759 --> 00:00:59,920 becoming the leader of the free war. 26 00:01:00,439 --> 00:01:03,079 Speaker 1: Okay, two to seventy, got it. But how do we 27 00:01:03,119 --> 00:01:06,120 even get to that number? Like, does every state get 28 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:07,879 the same amount of electoral votes? 29 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:11,439 Speaker 3: That's actually a great question, Okay, and no, not at all. 30 00:01:11,519 --> 00:01:14,920 It's all based on a state's representation in Congress, so 31 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:18,079 the number of House of Representatives members they have plus 32 00:01:18,159 --> 00:01:19,040 their two senators. 33 00:01:19,439 --> 00:01:22,879 Speaker 1: So does that mean bigger states with more people automatically 34 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:24,280 have more power in an election? 35 00:01:24,879 --> 00:01:28,359 Speaker 3: Well, in a way, yes, they have more electoral votes 36 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:28,760 to offer. 37 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:29,959 Speaker 2: Think about California for. 38 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 3: Example, huge state, right, fifty four electoral votes. Wow, Texas 39 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:37,159 comes in second with forty. Candidates know they've got to 40 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:38,840 win over these electoral vote giants. 41 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:40,719 Speaker 1: I bet those states see a lot of campaign action 42 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:41,120 huh Oh. 43 00:01:41,159 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 3: Absolutely, They're constantly bombarded with campaign stops, rallies, and media attention. 44 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:48,640 Candidates know they can't afford to ignore them. 45 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,560 Speaker 1: So what about the states with smaller populations? Do their 46 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,920 votes even matter? If California and Texas are hogging all 47 00:01:55,959 --> 00:01:57,079 the electoral spotlight. 48 00:01:57,519 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 2: That's where it gets interesting. 49 00:01:58,879 --> 00:02:02,719 Speaker 3: While individual votes than those less populated states might feel 50 00:02:02,719 --> 00:02:04,519 like they carry less weight compared to. 51 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:06,439 Speaker 2: A giant like California. 52 00:02:06,079 --> 00:02:09,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, the system actually gives them a bit of a boost. 53 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:09,800 Speaker 2: Proportionally. 54 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:15,759 Speaker 3: Remember, every state automatically gets those two extra electoral votes 55 00:02:15,759 --> 00:02:18,680 for their senator, yes, right, regardless of population size. 56 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,719 Speaker 1: So it's like a built in balancing act. Right. Population matters, 57 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:24,800 but it's not the only thing that determines the state's influence. 58 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:25,719 Speaker 2: Exact. 59 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 1: It's like this fascinating dance between population size, the number 60 00:02:29,599 --> 00:02:33,000 of states, and how those votes are distributed. Okay, started 61 00:02:33,039 --> 00:02:34,919 making my head spin a little, but I have a 62 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:36,800 feeling it's about to get even more complex. 63 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,159 Speaker 3: Well, you're right about that, okay, because now we need 64 00:02:39,199 --> 00:02:40,719 to talk about swing states. 65 00:02:40,879 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: Swing states. Okay, now we're talking Those are the states 66 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:45,719 that could go either way in an election exactly. 67 00:02:45,759 --> 00:02:47,719 Speaker 3: They're like the wildcards that keep everyone on the edge 68 00:02:47,719 --> 00:02:48,319 of their seats. 69 00:02:48,479 --> 00:02:51,080 Speaker 1: Oh totally. I remember living in a swing state during 70 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:52,080 a presidential election. 71 00:02:52,319 --> 00:02:54,439 Speaker 2: Oh wow, what was that like? 72 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: It was crazy? The energy was electric. Every conversation felt 73 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:01,439 like it had these high stakes, and everyone was glued 74 00:03:01,479 --> 00:03:03,919 to the polls waiting to see which way our state 75 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:04,439 would swing. 76 00:03:04,759 --> 00:03:05,800 Speaker 2: I can only imagine. 77 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 3: And for candidates, those swing states are like gold mines. 78 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:11,479 They know they need to win them over if they 79 00:03:11,479 --> 00:03:14,280 want to secure those all important electoral votes. 80 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: Okay, so we've got electoral votes swing states and this 81 00:03:18,599 --> 00:03:21,080 whole capture the flag analogy. What am I missing? 82 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,199 Speaker 3: Well, we've talked about the votes themselves, but what about 83 00:03:23,199 --> 00:03:25,639 the people who actually cast those votes? 84 00:03:25,719 --> 00:03:25,840 Speaker 1: Oh? 85 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:27,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, the electors. 86 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:30,680 Speaker 3: These are the individuals chosen by each state to officially 87 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:31,759 vote for president. 88 00:03:32,039 --> 00:03:35,319 Speaker 1: The electors. Almost sounds like a secret society. 89 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 2: Or something, you know, it kind of is. 90 00:03:36,719 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 1: So how did these electors even get chosen? Are they 91 00:03:39,199 --> 00:03:42,400 like celebrities or politicians? Spill the tea. 92 00:03:42,479 --> 00:03:45,159 Speaker 3: It varies from state to state, but generally they're chosen 93 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:49,280 by their political parties. And get this, they're pledged to 94 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:52,000 vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote in 95 00:03:52,039 --> 00:03:52,479 their state. 96 00:03:52,599 --> 00:03:54,639 Speaker 1: Wait, hold on, let me make sure I'm following us correctly. 97 00:03:54,719 --> 00:03:58,560 So we the people vote, our state tallies up the 98 00:03:58,639 --> 00:04:03,639 votes yep, and then these electors cast their votes based 99 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,000 on the outcome of the popular vote in their state. 100 00:04:06,199 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: Exactly. 101 00:04:06,599 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 3: It's like a two step process to make the results official. 102 00:04:09,759 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: Okay, I'm starting to see how the pieces of this 103 00:04:12,919 --> 00:04:19,040 puzzle fit together. Voters, electoral votes, and then these mysterious 104 00:04:19,079 --> 00:04:22,000 electors who act as the official vote casters. 105 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 3: It's a system that has evolved over centuries. 106 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:27,439 Speaker 1: Okay, So after all the votes are cast and the 107 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:31,680 electors have their say, what happens next? Do they all 108 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:34,720 hop on a plane to Washington, DC and make it official? 109 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 2: Not quite. 110 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:39,639 Speaker 3: They actually meet in their respective states in December to 111 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:41,000 formally cast their votes. 112 00:04:41,199 --> 00:04:41,519 Speaker 1: Really. 113 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,519 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's like the electoral college is coming together across 114 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:46,680 the country. Okay, piece by piece. 115 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 1: So picture this. It's December and in every state capital 116 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,439 there's this group of electors gathered together, casting their votes 117 00:04:53,639 --> 00:04:56,199 and sending the results to Washington. It's like a nationwide 118 00:04:56,199 --> 00:04:57,399 relay race exactly. 119 00:04:57,519 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 2: The pretty incredible process when you think about it. 120 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: And of course Washington, DC is the finish line. That's 121 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:03,560 where Congress comes in to make it all official. 122 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 2: Rest, we got it. 123 00:05:05,199 --> 00:05:08,759 Speaker 3: Congress has the very important task of officially counting and 124 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:10,720 certifying those electoral votes. 125 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 1: So every branch of government gets in on the action. 126 00:05:14,519 --> 00:05:17,160 This is more complex than I thought. When does this 127 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,120 official vote counting ceremony happen? 128 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:21,279 Speaker 2: Mark your tallendars for January sixth. 129 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 1: January sixth, you know, it's hard not to think about 130 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:26,199 what happened to the Capitol on that date back in 131 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:29,120 twenty twenty one. It really shows how important this process 132 00:05:29,199 --> 00:05:31,120 is and how fragile our democracy can be. 133 00:05:31,319 --> 00:05:34,279 Speaker 3: Absolutely, it's a date that's etched into our nation's history 134 00:05:34,319 --> 00:05:36,480 and it reminds us of how crucial it is to 135 00:05:36,519 --> 00:05:38,319 have a peaceful transfer of power. 136 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:43,199 Speaker 1: So everything comes down to this pivotal day, January sixth. 137 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:46,319 But what if someone tries to challenge the electoral votes? 138 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:47,839 Can that even happen? 139 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 3: That's a great question, and yes it is possible. There 140 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:54,279 are safeguards built into the system where lawmakers can object 141 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,399 to a state's results during the certification process. It doesn't 142 00:05:57,399 --> 00:05:59,240 happen all the time, but it is a possibility. 143 00:05:59,319 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 1: Hold on, and after all the votes are cast, the 144 00:06:01,399 --> 00:06:04,319 electors meet, there's still room for debate and challenges. This 145 00:06:04,399 --> 00:06:06,240 is way more intricate than I realized. 146 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:08,959 Speaker 3: You're right, it's not as simple as it might seem. 147 00:06:09,399 --> 00:06:12,439 There are layers upon layers to this process, each with 148 00:06:12,519 --> 00:06:16,480 its own role to play and ensuring accuracy, fairness, and 149 00:06:16,519 --> 00:06:18,199 a peaceful transfer of power. 150 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:21,879 Speaker 1: Wow, I'm already blown away. It's like this giant, intricate 151 00:06:21,959 --> 00:06:26,399 clock with all these moving parts working together, this electoral college. 152 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:28,199 It's a lot to take in. 153 00:06:28,319 --> 00:06:30,879 Speaker 2: It definitely is a lot to take in. Welcome back, folks. 154 00:06:30,959 --> 00:06:33,480 Speaker 1: Okay, so before the break, we were talking about how 155 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:35,920 even after all the voting and all the electoral votes 156 00:06:35,959 --> 00:06:38,399 are cast, someone could still object to the results. 157 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a fascinating part of the process. 158 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:43,759 Speaker 1: Has that ever happened like in real life? 159 00:06:43,879 --> 00:06:47,319 Speaker 3: It definitely has, especially in really close elections. You'll see 160 00:06:47,399 --> 00:06:50,439 lawmakers raising objections and trying to make their case. 161 00:06:50,759 --> 00:06:54,839 Speaker 1: Wow. So it's not just the theoretical possibility, it's actually happened. 162 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:57,079 Speaker 3: Right, And I think it shows you how much emphasis 163 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:59,639 is placed on checks and balances in our system. It's 164 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:01,720 not just to one and done kind of deal. 165 00:07:02,199 --> 00:07:04,959 Speaker 1: But I imagine they could get messy pretty quickly if 166 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,639 every election ended up with a bunch of legal battles 167 00:07:07,639 --> 00:07:11,040 and arguments. Wouldn't that undermine the whole idea of a 168 00:07:11,079 --> 00:07:12,560 peaceful transfer of power. 169 00:07:12,839 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 3: That's a really good point, and that's why there's a 170 00:07:14,839 --> 00:07:18,160 specific structure in place for handling these objections. 171 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 1: Okay, so walk me through it. Let's say a lawmaker 172 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:22,480 does object to a state's results. 173 00:07:23,279 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 3: What happens next, Well, it doesn't just bring everything to 174 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,680 a screeching halt. Okay, both the House of Representatives and 175 00:07:29,759 --> 00:07:33,360 the Senate have to debate the objection separately and then 176 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:36,240 vote on whether to uphold it or dismiss it. 177 00:07:36,399 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 1: So there's still a chance for the results to be 178 00:07:38,519 --> 00:07:40,160 overturned even after all that. 179 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:43,839 Speaker 3: Technically, yes, but it's a very high bar to clear. 180 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:45,519 It's not something that's taken lightly. 181 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: Wow, that's intense. I can almost picture the lawmakers in 182 00:07:48,519 --> 00:07:51,519 their chambers arguing back and forth, all that tension in 183 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:52,839 the air as they get ready to vote. 184 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,319 Speaker 3: Oh. Absolutely, and don't forget the vice president actually presides 185 00:07:56,399 --> 00:07:57,759 over this whole process. 186 00:07:58,120 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 1: Really, yep. 187 00:07:58,959 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 3: They're the ones who open the envelopes with the electoral 188 00:08:01,639 --> 00:08:03,480 votes and announce the results to everyone. 189 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:06,519 Speaker 1: Wow. Talk about being in the hot seat. Can you 190 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:09,839 imagine standing up there knowing the whole nation is watching, 191 00:08:10,399 --> 00:08:12,560 waiting to hear who the next president will be. 192 00:08:12,839 --> 00:08:16,120 Speaker 3: It's definitely a historic moment, and it's a role that's 193 00:08:16,199 --> 00:08:18,800 taken on even more significance in recent years. 194 00:08:18,959 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, after everything that's happened. You know, sometimes it's easy 195 00:08:21,959 --> 00:08:25,120 to think about the electoral College as just this abstract concept, 196 00:08:25,439 --> 00:08:26,319 but it has real. 197 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 3: Consequences, absolutely, and it really reflects the unique history and 198 00:08:30,079 --> 00:08:32,960 structure of the US. You know, when the founding fathers 199 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:35,679 were creating this country, they spent a lot of time 200 00:08:35,759 --> 00:08:39,080 thinking about how to balance power between states and the 201 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:39,879 federal government. 202 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:43,440 Speaker 1: So the electoral college was their way of making sure 203 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:47,720 smaller states still had a voice in choosing the president exactly. 204 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:50,879 Speaker 3: They didn't want a system where the states with the 205 00:08:50,879 --> 00:08:54,840 biggest populations could just dominate every election. They wanted the 206 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:57,240 president to have to appeal to a broad range of 207 00:08:57,320 --> 00:08:58,879 voters across the country. 208 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: That makes sense. It's about representing all the different voices 209 00:09:01,639 --> 00:09:03,360 and perspectives that make up the US. 210 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:06,200 Speaker 3: And that's why the electoral college is such a controversial topic. 211 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:09,480 There are really strong arguments on both sides of the debate. 212 00:09:09,639 --> 00:09:12,919 I could see that some people think it's outdated and undemocratic, 213 00:09:13,039 --> 00:09:14,919 while others see it as a vital part of our 214 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:16,000 system of government. 215 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:20,600 Speaker 1: It's fascinating how one system can spark so much debate. 216 00:09:21,639 --> 00:09:23,600 Makes me wonder if you could ever see the electoral 217 00:09:23,639 --> 00:09:27,039 college abolished or reformed in a major way. 218 00:09:27,279 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 3: It's a question that's been around for decades, that's for sure. Yeah, 219 00:09:30,519 --> 00:09:32,720 there's been a lot of talk about moving to a 220 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:36,080 direct popular vote system, where the candidate who gets the 221 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:38,759 most individual votes nationwide wins. 222 00:09:38,879 --> 00:09:41,159 Speaker 1: That sounds pretty straightforward. Why wouldn't we want to do that? 223 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:42,720 It seems like it'd be a lot simpler. 224 00:09:42,919 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 3: It might seem simpler on the surface, but some potential 225 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:47,240 downsides need. 226 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,159 Speaker 2: To be considered, like what well. 227 00:09:49,519 --> 00:09:52,639 Speaker 3: People who are against a direct popular vote worry that 228 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:56,039 it could weaken the influence of smaller states and rural communities. 229 00:09:56,519 --> 00:09:59,720 They're concerned candidates would focus all their absention on winning 230 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:02,919 over voters in big cities and might ignore the needs 231 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:04,360 of less populated areas. 232 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:06,879 Speaker 1: I get it. So it's a trade off, right. We 233 00:10:06,919 --> 00:10:09,480 want to ensure that every single vote counts, but we 234 00:10:09,519 --> 00:10:10,960 also want to make sure that every part of the 235 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:14,200 country fuels represented and heard exactly. 236 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:16,919 Speaker 3: And that's what makes this debate so complex. There are 237 00:10:17,039 --> 00:10:20,360 valid arguments on both sides, and any changes could have 238 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:22,879 major implications for our whole political system. 239 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,039 Speaker 1: You know, thinking back to those election night broadcasts I 240 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:28,320 used to watch with the red and blue states and 241 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,240 the electoral votes sticking up, it all makes so much 242 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:34,159 more sense now. It's like a giant chess game playing 243 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,559 out across the country and every move matters. 244 00:10:36,639 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 2: That's a great way to put it. 245 00:10:37,759 --> 00:10:40,080 Speaker 1: Coming into this deep dive I thought I had a 246 00:10:40,159 --> 00:10:43,440 decent grasp on the electoral College, but wow, there's so 247 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:45,120 much more to it than I ever imagined. 248 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:47,039 Speaker 3: It just goes to show that even the things we 249 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:50,559 think we understand can still surprise us. And when we're 250 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:53,799 talking about something as important as democracy, it's vital to 251 00:10:53,879 --> 00:10:55,679 keep learning and questioning. 252 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:59,519 Speaker 1: Okay, so we've talked about electors, objections, the role of Congress. 253 00:10:59,799 --> 00:11:02,240 What happens next, Like, after all the votes are counted 254 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,559 and everything's certified, what's the grand finale of this whole 255 00:11:05,639 --> 00:11:06,799 electoral drama. 256 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:10,519 Speaker 3: Well, after all that, we finally get to an inauguration day, right. 257 00:11:10,879 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: All the pomp and circumstance, the swearing in ceremony, the 258 00:11:14,519 --> 00:11:17,320 new president addressing the nation, say a fresh start. 259 00:11:17,399 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 3: You know, it's a tradition that goes back centuries and 260 00:11:20,159 --> 00:11:22,679 it symbolizes the peaceful transfer of power. 261 00:11:22,879 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 1: So that's it. The electoral College's job. 262 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:26,639 Speaker 2: Is done in a way. 263 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 3: Yes, once the new president is sworn in, the focus 264 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:34,559 shifts to governing, but the electoral College still has an impact. 265 00:11:35,159 --> 00:11:38,200 It shapes how we view elections and it definitely keeps 266 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:40,960 the debate alive about how we choose our leaders. 267 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 1: This deep dive has been amazing. I feel like I 268 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:46,639 could actually hold a conversation about the electoral college now 269 00:11:46,919 --> 00:11:48,639 without sounding totally clueless. 270 00:11:48,799 --> 00:11:49,679 Speaker 2: I'm glad to hear that. 271 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:51,919 Speaker 3: But before we wrap things up, I want to give 272 00:11:51,919 --> 00:11:54,279 you a real world example of how a candidate could 273 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,960 win the presidency without winning the popular vote. 274 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 1: Okay, yeah, walk me through that. I think that's one 275 00:11:58,519 --> 00:11:59,960 of the things that confuses people the most. 276 00:12:00,279 --> 00:12:03,279 Speaker 3: All right, So imagine a scenario where one candidate wins 277 00:12:03,279 --> 00:12:06,399 a few very populous states, but just by a small margin, 278 00:12:06,879 --> 00:12:09,440 and then another candidate wins a lot more states, but 279 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:12,080 they're less populated, so they win by a bigger margin 280 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:12,720 in those states. 281 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 1: Okay, I'm following. So far, one candidate is racking up 282 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:20,480 votes in those big states with lots of electoral votes, 283 00:12:20,799 --> 00:12:23,799 and the other is winning in those smaller states exactly. 284 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:27,159 Speaker 3: And even though the first candidate might have more individual 285 00:12:27,279 --> 00:12:31,080 votes overall, the second candidate could still win the presidency 286 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:34,080 if they get more electoral votes from all those smaller states. 287 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:37,159 It all comes back to that magic number two hundred 288 00:12:37,159 --> 00:12:37,639 and seventy. 289 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:40,799 Speaker 1: Ah, it's not just about winning the most states. It's 290 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:43,039 about winning the right states, the ones that will give 291 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,480 you enough electoral votes. It's like a giant. 292 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 3: Puzzle exactly, so why candidates need to be strategic about 293 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:51,720 where they campaign and how they use their resources. They 294 00:12:51,759 --> 00:12:54,919 have to understand the electoral college map and figure out 295 00:12:54,919 --> 00:12:56,519 the best way to get to two seventy. 296 00:12:56,840 --> 00:12:59,399 Speaker 1: I am loving this deep dive. It's like we're uncovering 297 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:02,279 all these lay of complexity I never even do exist it. 298 00:13:02,279 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 2: It's fascinating, isn't it. 299 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 3: And you know, there's one more thing I wanted to 300 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:07,440 touch on before we finish up. We've talked about the 301 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:10,679 mechanics of the electoral college, the arguments for and against it, 302 00:13:10,759 --> 00:13:12,960 all that stuff, But at the end of the day, 303 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:16,879 it's a reflection of our values as a country, our history, 304 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:19,559 and how we're always trying to improve our democracy. 305 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 1: That's a great point. It's a reminder that these systems 306 00:13:22,519 --> 00:13:23,039 are a part of. 307 00:13:23,039 --> 00:13:26,279 Speaker 3: Who we are, absolutely and that's why it's so important 308 00:13:26,279 --> 00:13:29,360 for us to understand them, talk about them, and participate 309 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:30,399 in shaping their future. 310 00:13:30,799 --> 00:13:34,519 Speaker 1: My brain is efficially full of electoral college knowledge. I 311 00:13:34,519 --> 00:13:36,200 think it's time for us to give our listeners a 312 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:37,639 break to process all this too. 313 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:40,080 Speaker 2: Sounds good. We'll be back in a bit to wrap 314 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:40,559 things up. 315 00:13:41,159 --> 00:13:43,399 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the show everyone. So we spent this 316 00:13:43,639 --> 00:13:47,320 entire episode exploring the ins and outs of the electoral College, 317 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:49,639 and man, it's been a wild. 318 00:13:49,519 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 2: Ride, it really has. 319 00:13:50,519 --> 00:13:52,559 Speaker 3: It's a system that's full of surprises. 320 00:13:52,159 --> 00:13:56,039 Speaker 1: Totally, and after all this, I'm still left wondering what's 321 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:59,240 next for the electoral College. Is that something that's going 322 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:02,240 to stick around or could we actually see it change? 323 00:14:02,399 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 2: Well, that's the big question, isn't it. 324 00:14:04,159 --> 00:14:06,399 Speaker 3: I Mean, it's been the subject of debate for years 325 00:14:06,399 --> 00:14:09,360 and years, and there are some people who think it's 326 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,360 time to get rid of it completely. Yeah, yeah, and 327 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:15,519 just move to a nationwide popular vote where whoever gets 328 00:14:15,799 --> 00:14:18,480 the most votes across the country wins period. 329 00:14:18,759 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 1: I mean, that does seem like the simplest solution. Why 330 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:23,080 not just count all the votes and let the chips 331 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:23,799 fall where they may. 332 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 2: It sounds pretty straightforward, right yeah. 333 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,799 Speaker 3: But it's not quite that simple because critics of a 334 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,720 direct popular vote worry that it could actually reduce the 335 00:14:32,759 --> 00:14:36,080 influence of smaller states and you know, uh huh, and 336 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:39,000 it could lead to candidates focusing only on big cities 337 00:14:39,039 --> 00:14:40,960 and ignoring the needs of rural communities. 338 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:43,799 Speaker 1: Right, that's all about finding that balance, isn't it. We 339 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:46,360 want every vote to matter, but we also want to 340 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:48,440 make sure that all parts of the country feel like 341 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:49,879 they have a voice in the process. 342 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 2: Exactly. It's tricky. 343 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,559 Speaker 3: It's a tough one, for sure, and it's why this 344 00:14:54,639 --> 00:14:57,720 debate is so complex. I mean, any changes to the 345 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:01,679 electoral college would have huge implications for our entire political system. 346 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,919 Speaker 1: It makes you realize that the founding fathers had a 347 00:15:04,919 --> 00:15:08,679 lot to consider when they were creating this system. They 348 00:15:08,679 --> 00:15:11,200 were dealing with a very different political landscape than we 349 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:11,759 have today. 350 00:15:11,879 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 3: Oh absolutely, and it's so important to understand that historical 351 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:18,480 context when we're talking about the electoral college. 352 00:15:18,559 --> 00:15:20,639 Speaker 1: You know, I'll admit I had some pretty strong opinions 353 00:15:20,679 --> 00:15:23,279 about the electoral college before we started this deep dive, 354 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:25,879 but now I see it from a totally different perspective. 355 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:29,279 Oh yeah, It's not just a way to choose a president. 356 00:15:29,759 --> 00:15:33,759 It's really a reflection of our values as a country 357 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:37,240 and our history and this ongoing journey we're on to 358 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,279 create a more perfect union. 359 00:15:39,399 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 3: Well said, and I think that's the beauty of these 360 00:15:41,639 --> 00:15:44,919 deep dives. They challenge us to think critically and look 361 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:46,360 beyond the surface of things. 362 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 1: So, if our listeners take away one thing from this episode, 363 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:51,519 what would you want it to be. 364 00:15:52,279 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 3: I'd say the most important thing to remember is that 365 00:15:54,399 --> 00:15:58,000 the electoral College, as weird and controversial as it may 366 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:01,879 seem sometimes, yeah, it's a vital part of our democracy. 367 00:16:02,039 --> 00:16:02,519 Speaker 1: I agree. 368 00:16:02,639 --> 00:16:05,799 Speaker 3: It's constantly evolving and it needs us to be engaged 369 00:16:05,799 --> 00:16:09,960 and informed citizens to ensure it continues to serve its purpose. 370 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:12,759 Speaker 1: Well that's about all the time we have for today. 371 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:15,559 A huge thank you to our expert for guiding us 372 00:16:15,559 --> 00:16:18,919 through this fascinating exploration of the electoral college, and to 373 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:22,279 all of you for listening in. Keep those brains buzzing, folks, 374 00:16:22,279 --> 00:16:24,000 and we'll catch you on the next deep dive.