Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

According to the U.S. Constitution, who is responsible for electing the President?

1. The Senate

2. The House of Representatives

3. The Electoral College

4. The Supreme Court

The correct answer is: The Electoral College

The Electoral College is the body established by the U.S. Constitution that has the authority to elect the President of the United States. This system was created as part of the compromise between electing the President through a vote in Congress and through popular vote. Each state is allocated a number of electors based on its representation in Congress, which reflects both its number of senators (always two) and its number of representatives in the House, which can vary based on population. When citizens cast their votes in a presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to support their preferred candidate. These electors then meet in their respective states to cast their votes for President and Vice President. This process ensures that both the population's will and the interests of smaller states are fairly represented in the election of the nation's leader. In contrast, the Senate and the House of Representatives play different roles in the governmental framework. The Supreme Court, while vital in interpreting laws and the Constitution, does not have a role in the electoral process for the President; it is not involved in the selection or election of the President. Understanding the Electoral College's role is crucial to comprehending how presidential elections function in the United States.