Introduction

Does your vote REALLY count in a Presidential Election?

Do you think it makes sense to vote when the votes cast by citizens may not count? During the 2000 Presidential election, the popular vote in Florida selected Al Gore yet the Electoral College System (ECS) chose George Bush, swinging the election. Key to understanding the election process is knowing the roles of the Electoral College System and the regular voting citizen. How do they work together to elect a president?

Because of this most recent controversy, you are part of the 2004 Presidential Election System Review Commission, a special commission created to investigate the ECS. As part of the team you will work together to return with recommendations to Reform or Defend the ECS.

The key questions surrounding the special commission are:

• How much influence does the Electoral College have in terms of choosing the President for this nation?
  
• Should we keep the Electoral College?
  
• What other system could replace the Electoral College?
  
• How would states small in electoral votes get treated if the Electoral College were abolished or retained?