Question

Research the following:

TEXT & AUTHOR

TIME Magazine
These 3 Common Arguments For
Preserving the Electoral College Are Wrong
By Robert Speel

Real Clear Politics
Why We Need the Electoral College
By Peter J. Wallison

PBS NewsHour
This proposal calls for popular vote to determine the winner.


NEXT… answer the above for each

HOW DOES S/HE SUPPORT THEIR ARGUMENT?


Then in 2 sentences in a 7th graders response for each above :

CAN YOU IDENTIFY ANY BIASES THIS
AUTHOR MIGHT HAVE?

Answer 1

TIME — "These 3 Common Arguments For Preserving the Electoral College Are Wrong" — Robert Speel

How does s/he support their argument?
- Identifies three common pro–Electoral College claims and responds to each point-by-point.
- Uses recent historical examples (e.g., elections where the popular vote and Electoral College diverged) to show practical harms and distortions.
- Cites data and fairness/fundamental democratic principles (equal value of votes) to argue the Electoral College is outdated.
- Discusses consequences like disproportionate attention to swing states and potential disenfranchisement to bolster the claim that the system should change.

Bias (two sentences, 7th-grade level)
The author might prefer a system where every person’s vote counts the same, so they focus on the bad things about the Electoral College. Because the article is in a mainstream magazine that often supports reform, the writer might make the negatives seem stronger than the positives.

RealClearPolitics — "Why We Need the Electoral College" — Peter J. Wallison

How does s/he support their argument?
- Starts from constitutional and federalist principles, arguing the Electoral College preserves state power and the framers’ intent.
- Uses historical and legal reasoning to claim the Electoral College encourages coalition-building and prevents big cities from deciding elections alone.
- Points to practical concerns (campaign geography, minority protections, stability) and hypothetical problems with a national popular vote to warn against change.
- Relies on conservative legal scholarship and examples that emphasize risks of abolishing the current system.

Bias (two sentences, 7th-grade level)
The author has a conservative background and often defends traditional rules, so he might be biased toward keeping the Electoral College. Because he writes for a conservative-leaning site, he may highlight risks of changing the system and downplay problems with how it works now.

PBS NewsHour — (report about a proposal that calls for the popular vote to determine the winner, e.g., the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact)

How does s/he support their argument/reporting?
- Explains how the proposal would work (states awarding electors to the national popular vote winner) and provides clear, factual description of the mechanics.
- Quotes and summarizes views from proponents (fairness, every vote counts) and opponents (legal questions, practical effects) to present both sides.
- Uses interviews with experts, state officials, and examples of states that have joined the compact to show current progress and possible outcomes.
- Places the proposal in historical and legal context, noting constitutional and implementation questions.

Bias (two sentences, 7th-grade level)
PBS tries to be neutral, but it is sometimes seen as leaning a little toward reforms that help voters, so it might give more time to people who want the popular vote. Because it focuses on public-interest stories, the report could make the proposal look more sensible or fair to viewers.