Does your vote count? The Electoral College explained - Christina Greer

Summary

The Electoral College is a pivotal element in U.S. presidential elections, comprising 538 electors appointed by states based on their population. Candidates aim to secure at least 270 electoral votes to win, often focusing on populous states like California and Texas. Notably, a candidate can win the presidency without the popular vote, highlighting the system's complexity and potential for perceived unfairness. Critics argue it favors larger states, while supporters claim it protects smaller states. Understanding safe and swing states is essential for voters, particularly on election night when the quest for 270 electoral votes unfolds.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Electoral College is a group of people appointed by each state to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.
• 🧮 There are 538 electors in total, which is equal to the total voting membership of Congress (435 representatives and 100 senators, plus 3 electors from D.C.).
• 🏆 To win the presidency, a candidate must surpass 270 electoral votes, which is just over half of the total electors.
• 🔢 States receive electoral votes based on their population size, and these votes can change with each census conducted every 10 years.
• 🗳️ In winner-takes-all states like California, if a candidate wins, they receive all of that state's electoral votes.
• 🌟 Key states with large electoral votes, such as Texas, Florida, and New York, are crucial for candidates aiming for the presidency.
• 🔄 It's possible for a candidate to win the popular vote nationally but lose the presidency if they fail to secure 270 electoral votes.
• ⚖️ Critics argue the Electoral College gives an unfair advantage to larger states, allowing candidates to potentially ignore smaller states.
• 🔄 States that reliably vote for a particular party are known as 'safe states', while those that can swing between parties are termed 'swing states'.
• 🔍 On election night, remember that the magic number to watch for is 270 electoral votes to determine the winner.

Q & A

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is a group of people appointed by each state to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

How many electors are there in the Electoral College?

Since 1964, there have been 538 electors in each presidential election.

How is the number of electors determined?

The number of electors is equal to the total voting membership of the United States Congress: 435 representatives plus 100 senators, plus 3 electors from the District of Columbia.

What is the minimum number of electoral votes a candidate needs to win the presidency?

A candidate needs to surpass 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

How do states receive their electoral votes?

Each state receives a number of electors based on its population size, which is determined by the decennial census.

What happens if a candidate wins in a state?

If a candidate wins in a state, they receive all of that state's electoral votes; if they lose, they receive none.

Can a candidate win the popular vote but lose the presidency?

Yes, it is possible for a candidate to win the popular vote but not gain 270 electoral votes, which can happen due to the distribution of votes across states.

What are 'safe states' and 'swing states'?

Safe states are those that consistently vote for one party in elections, while swing states are those that can vote for either party, often changing from one election to the next.

Why do candidates focus on swing states?

Candidates focus on swing states because they are more likely to determine the outcome of an election, as they can provide crucial electoral votes for either party.

How do smaller states benefit from the Electoral College?

Critics argue that the Electoral College protects smaller states by ensuring that candidates cannot completely ignore them, as every electoral vote counts, especially in close elections.