Can someone answer these for me

Question

a. Identify the method for determining the number of electoral votes allocated in each state.

b. Identify how electoral votes are allocated to each candidate in most states. 

c. Describe one way that the Electoral College benefits each of the following types of states:

 - States with small popuations 

 - States with large populations

 - Swing states/battleground states

 - Explain how a candidate can win the Electoral College without winning the national popular vote

a. Identify one pattern in teh table/chart/figure

b. Explain why a state may opt for a closed primary rather than an open primary. 

c. Explain why candidates may behave differently in open primary states rather than closed primary states. 

d. Explain how voters may behave strategically in open primary states rather than closed primary states. 

Answer 1

I don't have access to the chart but I'm happy to help with the other questions.

1. The number of electoral votes allocated to each state is determined by adding up the state's number of members in the US House of Representatives (based on population) and the number of Senators (2 for every state. California has 55 electoral votes - 53 members in the House and two Senators.
2. Most states allocate their electoral votes via winner-take-all, not proportionately. So if a Presdiential candidate wins with 50.1% of the vote or 80% they receive all of the state's electoral votes.
3. Small states benefit from the electoral college because they are overrepresented in the total number of electoral votes. Because each state gets 2 Senators no matter their size, very small states are guaranteed 3 electoral college votes. If electoral votes were allocated purely based on population, California would have more electoral votes and Wyoming would have less than they currently do.
4. The advantage to large states isn't as dramatic but one could argue that because large states allocate many electoral votes, for example Florida, if they are a battleground state then Presidential candidates will spend a lot of time in these states. But some large states like California and New York are not battleground states (they are solidly in favor of one party) and thus the electoral college makes them less important to candidates.
5. Battleground states (those that might vote for either party's candidate) benefit greatly because there are so few of them and candidates will only spend money in, advertise in and cater to the needs of residents in these swing states.
6. Open primaries allow people to vote in a party's primary even if they are not a registered member of that party. This means that independents and even members of other parties can vote in it. Closed primaries can often produce less moderate candidates because it is only members of the party who are voting. In open primary states, candidates must thus appeal to independent voters. Donald Trump, for example, who was not liked by some conservatives when he ran in 2016, benefited from open primary states where he was more popular with independent leaning voters.