Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The winner-take-all system of the American Electoral Colllege has resulted in some states being considered "safe" or non-competitive and others being considered "battlegrounds." The consequence of this is that presidential campaigns spend less time and money in safe states. This paper examines the degree to which the level of competitiveness affects political knowlege and argues that residents in competitive states have higher degrees of political knowledge and trust-in-government. Discussions about the Electoral College should take into account the discrepant impact of this system on the citizens of the states.