UNBIASED Politics Unbiased University: Presidential Elections and the Electoral College Explained
Apr 2, 2026
A clear walkthrough of how presidential elections and the Electoral College came to be and how they work today. Short histories of key reforms like the 12th Amendment and the Electoral Count Act. Explanations of electors, apportionment, Maine and Nebraska exceptions, and what happens when no one reaches 270. A look at how these rules shape campaign strategy and turnout.
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States Run Elections But Federal Ballot Rules Are Limited
- States set most election rules under Article II, but the 2024 Supreme Court decision in Trump v. Anderson bars states from disqualifying federal candidates from ballots.
- This preserves uniform access to federal ballots despite state-level attempts to change candidacy rules.
Practical Differences Between Primaries And Caucuses
- Primaries are state-run secret-ballot contests while caucuses are party-run public meetings; Nevada uniquely holds both.
- Caucuses can feature speeches, public alignment, or open ballots, whereas primaries resemble standard elections.
Open Versus Closed Primary Participation Rules
- Primary and caucus participation rules vary: open, closed, or hybrid formats determine whether independents or opposite-party voters can participate.
- Closed contests exclude unaffiliated voters, while open contests allow any registered voter to pick a party contest.