How the US election works - BBC News

Summary

The U.S. presidential election system relies on the Electoral College, a group of 538 electors who vote for the president based on their state's popular vote. Despite concerns over direct popular vote, this system was established over 200 years ago to balance democracy with the selection of a suitable president. With a candidate needing at least 270 electoral votes to win, it's possible to lose the popular vote yet win the presidency. Campaigns often focus on swing states, as seen in recent elections where candidates with fewer public votes won the White House.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ In the U.S. presidential election, voters technically vote for electors, not directly for the president.
• 🏛️ The Electoral College is a group of 538 electors who cast votes to elect the president.
• 📊 A presidential candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the election.
• 📈 The number of electors each state has is based on its population size.
• 🏢 The 'winner-takes-all' system in most states means the candidate with the most votes gets all the state's electoral votes.
• 🔄 This system has led to instances where a candidate can lose the popular vote but win the electoral vote, as happened in two of the last five elections.
• 🎯 Campaigns often focus on battleground or swing states to secure the necessary 270 electoral votes.
• 📅 The Electoral College system dates back over 200 years and was designed as a compromise to prevent the election of an unsuitable president through direct popular vote.
• 🌐 The system is intended to ensure that presidential elections deliver decisive results across the vast U.S.
• 🔄 There have been ongoing efforts to change the Electoral College system, but it remains in place due to its proponents' belief in its effectiveness.

Q & A

How does the electoral college system influence the U.S. presidential elections?

The electoral college system influences U.S. presidential elections by allowing a candidate to win the presidency without securing the majority of the popular vote. This is because each state's electors, who are members of the electoral college, cast votes for the president, and a candidate needs at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win.

Why was the electoral college established in the United States?

The electoral college was established as a compromise by the founders of the United States to create a democratic system that would prevent the election of an unsuitable president through a direct popular vote. It was designed to balance the interests of both large and small states.

How are the electors in the electoral college chosen?

Electors in the electoral college are chosen by political parties in each state. The process varies by state, but generally, they are selected by party members or at party conventions, and they pledge to vote for their party's candidate in the presidential election.

What is the significance of the number 270 in the context of the electoral college?

The number 270 is significant because it represents the majority of the electoral votes needed to win the U.S. presidency. With a total of 538 electors, a candidate must secure at least 270 votes to be elected president.

How does the 'winner-takes-all' system work in the electoral college?

In the 'winner-takes-all' system, the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state receives all of that state's electoral votes, regardless of the margin of victory. This can lead to a candidate winning the presidency even if they lose the national popular vote.

What are swing states and why are they important in U.S. presidential elections?

Swing states, also known as battleground states, are states where the outcome of the election is uncertain and could go either way. They are important because campaigns often focus their efforts on these states to secure the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

How has the electoral college system affected past U.S. presidential elections?

The electoral college system has affected past U.S. presidential elections by allowing candidates to win the presidency despite losing the popular vote, as seen in the 2000 and 2016 elections. This has led to debates about the fairness and effectiveness of the electoral college.

What are some arguments in favor of maintaining the electoral college system?

Arguments in favor of maintaining the electoral college include ensuring that smaller states have a voice in the election, preventing the tyranny of the majority, and providing a clear and decisive outcome for presidential elections.

What are some arguments against the electoral college system?

Arguments against the electoral college include the potential for a candidate to win the presidency without the popular vote, the unequal weight of votes across states, and the focus on swing states at the expense of other states.

Are there any efforts to change or abolish the electoral college system?

Yes, there have been various efforts to change or abolish the electoral college system, including the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which aims to ensure the presidency goes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote.

How does the electoral college system affect campaign strategies?

The electoral college system affects campaign strategies by causing candidates to focus on winning swing states and maximizing their electoral vote count, rather than trying to win the popular vote nationwide.