Primary Source Learning: U.S. Electoral College
Background & context
- The Electoral College – What Is It and How Does It Function? In Custodia Legis November 6, 2012
- Electoral College Fast Facts US House of Representatives History, Art & Archives
- The Electoral College National Archives
- The Electoral College National Conference of State Legislators
- Research Guide: The Law of the Electoral College
Contemporary articles
- Congress and the Case of the Faithless Elector History November 17, 2020, US House of Representatives History, Art & Archives
- What the Electoral College vote means for Trump and Biden NBC News December 13, 2020
- Electoral College makes it official: Biden won, Trump lost Associated Press December 14, 2020
- The members of Congress who are planning to object to Joe Biden’s Electoral College win USA Today Jan. 4, 2021
- Congress’ count of Electoral College votes could be most contentious in 144 years. Here are past dramatic moments USA Today Jan. 5, 2021
- Some GOP senators reverse objections to Electoral College certification after protesters storm Capitol ABC News Jan. 6, 2021
- Congress finalizes Biden’s win after riot disrupts Capitol Jan. 7, 2021
Primary sources
- Texts
- Federalist Paper 68: The Mode of Electing the President
- U.S. Constitution Article II, Section 1, Clauses 2-4 (tip: search for electors)
- U.S. Constitution 12th Amendment
- More Electoral College historical texts
- U.S. Code related to Presidential Elections & Vacancies
- The Proceedings of the Electoral Commission of 1877
- 2020 Election Litigation Tracker SCOTUS blog
- Electoral College maps
- Electoral College political cartoons
- Electoral Commission Holding a Secret Session by Candle-light, on the Louisiana Question Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper February 16, 1877
- Pennsylvania’s Disgrace Louis Dalrymple March 18, 1896
- On the Electoral College Campus L.M. Glackens June 12, 1907
- He Doesn’t Realize What Is Coming to Him L.M. Glackens July 17, 1912
- You Go First, Sonny, Then Point Me Toward Him Herb Block March 7, 1968
- Right Now, Team—Heads Up—We Can Win This Old Ball Game Herb Block September 5, 1968
- Whew! Can’t We Find Some Other Route? Herb Block September 6, 1968
- And Do You, Jane Voter, Take This Package Herb Block October 31, 1968
- I’d Feel Better Without That Guy Sitting in the Back of the Cockpit Herb Block September 15, 1970
- Select historical newspaper articles related to the 1876 presidential election
- “Counting the Electoral Votes,” The Iola Register. (Iola, Kan.) January 27, 1877
- “The President Signs the Electoral Bill,” The Morning Star and Catholic Messenger. (New Orleans, La.) February 4, 1877
- “The Battle for Power,” National Republican. (Washington City, D.C.) February 12, 1877
- “The Agony Over! Hayes Elected President,” National Republican. (Washington City, D.C.) March 2, 1877
- Contemporary U.S. legislation related to the Electoral College
- Web Archive: NARA Federal Register U.S. Electoral College 2004-2019
Learning resources
- Electoral College: Are All Votes Equal? Citizen U middle school lesson
- Guided Primary Source Analysis: Does Your Vote for President Count?
- Hayes vs. Tilden: The Electoral College Controversy of 1876-1877
- A Look at the Electoral College through Math and U.S. History Lenses Teaching with the Library of Congress
Related resources