Chapter 10
Electoral College and
Supreme Court Case Review
The Electoral College
• 1. Why was the Electoral College system
established?
• 2. What is the role of the electoral
votes in the campaign
• 3. How few states can a candidate win
and win the election?
• 4. What are the flaws of the system?
Important Supreme Court Cases
• Baker vs. Carr (1962)
– Charles Baker and other Tennessee citizens
alleged that a 1901 apportionment law for
the state General Assembly was ignored.
– He argued their reapportionment ignored
economic population growth and shifts in
the state.
– Conclusion: The Supreme Court can rule
over apportionment issues in the state.
Important Supreme Court Cases
• Reynolds vs. Sims (1964)
– Voters from Jefferson County, Alabama,
challenged the apportionment of the state
legislature.
– Alabama Constitution stated that each county
was entitled to at least one representative and
there were to be as many districts as senators.
Some district populations varied as much as
41-1
– Conclusion: States must construct districts of
equal population to the greatest extent
possible
Important Supreme Court Cases
• Wesberry vs. Sanders (1964)
– Suit filed against Governor Sanders of
Georgia protesting the states
apportionment scheme.
– The 5th district where Mr. Wesberry lived
had a population 2 to 3 times larger than
other districts.
– He claimed this diluted his right to vote in
comparison to other Georgia residents.
– Conclusion: No vote should be worth more
than another. “One person equals one vote.”
Important Supreme Court Cases
• Majority vs. Minority Districts –
created to make it easier for minority
citizens to elect minority
representatives.
Important Supreme Court Cases
Shaw vs. Reno (1993)
– US Attorney General rejected a North
Carolina congressional reapportionment plan
because it created only one black-majority
district.
– A second was created but its size and shape
were questionable
– Argument made that this was done to gain
additional black representatives.
– Conclusion: Racial gerrymandering can only
occur with a “compelling” governmental
interest.
Important Supreme Court Cases
Miller vs. Johnson (1995):
- Between 1980 and 1990 only one of
Georgia’s 10 congressional districts was
majority black
- Georgia’s black population of 27% entitled
them to an 11th congressional seat leading
to a redraw of the state’s congressional
districts.
- An 11th district was finally agreed upon but
it was called a “geographic monstrosity”
- Conclusion: Racial gerrymandering violates
the equal protection clause