To win the U.S. presidential election, a candidate must secure 270 electoral votes—not simply win the most individual votes. Although Americans vote directly for their candidate of choice, their votes technically go toward a slate of electors selected by each state’s political parties. Nearly all states operate on a “winner-takes-all” basis, meaning the candidate with the majority of votes, even if by a narrow margin, claims all of that state’s electoral votes. This setup can result in a situation where a candidate wins the popular vote nationwide but loses the election due to the Electoral College.
How Many Electoral Votes Are There?
Each state’s number of electors matches its congressional representation, giving larger states more electoral votes. California has the most, with 54, while smaller states like Wyoming and Delaware have just three. Washington, D.C., which lacks congressional voting representation, also has three electoral votes. Altogether, there are 538 electoral votes up for grabs.
How Many Electoral Votes Does a Candidate Need to Win?
To secure the presidency, a candidate must earn 270 electoral votes, which is just over half of the total.
Are There Differences in Electoral College Rules by State?
Most states award all their electors to the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote. However, Nebraska and Maine allocate two electors to the statewide winner and one to the winner of each congressional district, meaning they can split their electoral votes among candidates.
Popular Vote vs. Electoral College
The gap between the popular vote and Electoral College results has stirred debate in recent years. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but lost to Donald Trump due to the Electoral College, similar to Al Gore’s experience in 2000 against George W. Bush.
Why Does the U.S. Use the Electoral College?
The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College as a compromise between a popular vote and congressional selection of the president, concerned about both the practicality and wisdom of direct elections.
Criticisms of the Electoral College
Critics argue that the Electoral College can undermine the popular will by allowing a candidate to win without the most individual votes. They also contend that it grants disproportionate influence to smaller states. According to a Pew Research survey, nearly two-thirds of Americans favor electing the president by popular vote, while about one-third support retaining the Electoral College.
Who Supports the Electoral College?
Pew’s survey shows Republicans are more inclined to support the Electoral College, citing its role in encouraging candidates to campaign across smaller and less populous states, not just urban areas.
What Are ‘Faithless Electors’?
Occasionally, electors deviate from their pledge to support their state’s chosen candidate, becoming “faithless electors.” This has never affected a presidential outcome. In 2016, seven electors broke rank, the highest in recent history, but there were none in 2020. The Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that states can prevent faithless electors, and many now penalize such actions.
Key Battleground States
This year, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are likely to be pivotal in determining the election. Donald Trump’s strongest path to victory involves holding onto Sunbelt states, while Kamala Harris’s path lies through the “blue wall” of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
When Does the Electoral College Vote?
Following certification of state results by December 11, electors meet on December 17 to cast their votes. These are then sent to the U.S. Archivist and the Senate president. Congress will certify the final Electoral College results on January 6, 2025.
What Happens in a Tie?
In the case of a 269-269 tie, the House of Representatives elects the president, with each state delegation casting one vote, while the Senate chooses the vice president. This procedure, detailed in the 12th Amendment, was introduced after the 1800 election tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, which was resolved after 36 rounds of House votes.
