Presidential Election Electoral College 2012

How would you describe your knowledge about the electoral college system?

I am an expert

I know the basics that we all learned in school

I know a just little bit about it

All I know is that it has something to do with elections

I don't know what it is

What do you think about the media showing electoral college maps before the election? Check all that apply.

I love seeing all of the analysis and learning more about the system

They are all entitled to their interpretation, I guess

I think they do not really know what will happen until the actual election

I think it has undue influence over the outcome of the election

I think they have it so well predicted, that it spoils the surprise of who wins

I think that the idea of "tossup" state just forces the candidates to campaign harder in certain states and ignore everyone else.

I think that it make voters feel more helpless about the outcome.

I think that it makes voters feel more empowered to influence the outcome.

They all just want to look smart and there are too many commentators.

I think that the electoral college:

Makes my individual vote count more

Makes my individual vote count about the same as direct voting

Makes my individual vote count less

Why do you think there is the general election, a delay, and then the electoral college vote?

To add a check and balance to the sytem

To give time for the popular vote to get counted so that the electors know how to cast their votes

It is a backup measure in case something happens to the president-elect before the inauguration

It is a way for political party leaders to manipulate the process

Because the population is not trusted to make a good choice on their own

To allow some extra time to reverse things in case some new dirt turns up on the president-elect.

I have no clue - isn't everything set in stone as soon as the popular vote is counted?

Do you know how your state chooses its electors?

Yes

No

What is an elector?

What do you think of the electoral college?

It is a brilliant way to make sure we get things right.

Its nice to have a backup process, but it usually doesn't make any difference.

I can take it or leave it.

I think something is fishy about it.

I think it cheats voters out having their vote counted directly.

Do you think that most voters know how this system works?

Yes

Maybe

They don't have a clue

Give your opinion of the system in 10 words or less. Thank you for participating.