Présidentielle américaine : comprendre le système électoral • FRANCE 24

Summary

In the upcoming U.S. presidential election on November 5, voters will indirectly choose the 47th president via an electoral college system. With 538 delegates across 50 states, the candidate who secures at least 270 votes wins. The distribution of votes varies, with states like California and New York leaning Democratic, while others like Texas are traditionally Republican. Swing states play a crucial role, with candidates focusing on local issues like inflation, immigration, and racial justice. Once the votes are in, electors will confirm the winner in December, with the new president being inaugurated on January 20.

Takeaways

• 😀 The U.S. presidential election on November 5 will involve around 240 million Americans voting for the 47th President through the Electoral College system.
• 😀 Voters don't directly elect their candidate but choose 538 electors across 50 states, with a majority of at least 270 electoral votes needed to win.
• 😀 States are not equal in terms of electoral influence—some have only three electors, while others have dozens, creating an unequal balance of power.
• 😀 Urban areas tend to lean Democratic, while rural areas typically support Republicans, influencing the electoral outcome in each region.
• 😀 In 2020, Trump supporters were more likely to live in areas far from large cities, which reflects broader voting trends across different regions.
• 😀 The South and Midwest are traditionally Republican ('red states'), while the Northeast and West Coast are largely Democratic ('blue states').
• 😀 Swing states, where the vote can fluctuate from one election to the next, are critical in determining the outcome of the election.
• 😀 In the 2020 election, 98% of official campaign visits by Trump and Biden were limited to just 12 states, focusing efforts on key battleground areas.
• 😀 In 2024, six states will play a major role in determining the outcome, with many voters concerned about economic conditions and inflation.
• 😀 Candidates will tailor their messages to address local issues such as cost of living, employment, immigration, racial justice, police reform, healthcare, and international conflicts like the Gaza situation.
• 😀 Once voters cast their ballots, electors will formally decide the winner in December, and the new president and vice president will be inaugurated on January 20.

Q & A

What is the Electoral College system in the U.S. presidential election?

The Electoral College is a system in which voters do not directly choose the president, but instead vote for electors who represent each state. There are 538 electors in total, and a candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

Why are some states considered more important than others in the U.S. election?

Not all states are equal in terms of electors. Some states have only a few electors, while others, like California, have many. This uneven distribution of electors means candidates focus on states where the vote is more uncertain or 'swing states' that can flip between parties.

What are swing states in the U.S. election, and why are they significant?

Swing states are states where the vote can easily change from one election to the next, unlike states that consistently vote for one party. These states are crucial for candidates because they can determine the outcome of the election.

Which states were the key battlegrounds in the 2020 U.S. election?

In the 2020 election, 98% of official campaign trips made by Donald Trump and Joe Biden were concentrated in just 12 states. These states were considered crucial because their voters were not firmly committed to one candidate.

What types of issues do candidates address in different states?

Candidates focus on both national and local issues during their campaigns. In states with industrial populations, like in the Northeast, economic issues and job opportunities are prominent. In places like Arizona, immigration is a key topic, while in Georgia, racial justice and healthcare are major concerns.

How do urban and rural areas influence U.S. elections?

Urban areas tend to vote more Democratic, while rural areas generally lean Republican. The difference in voting patterns between these areas shapes how candidates strategize their campaigns.

What was the average distance between Trump supporters and major cities in the 2020 election?

In the 2020 election, Trump supporters typically lived more than 30 kilometers away from large cities.

How are the 538 electors allocated among U.S. states?

Electors are allocated based on each state's population. Larger states have more electors, while smaller states have fewer. This allocation is part of the reason why some states are more heavily targeted in campaigns.

What happens after the election votes are cast?

After the election, the electors cast their votes in December, and the new President and Vice President are formally elected. They are then sworn into office on January 20th.

How do candidates plan their campaigns based on state demographics?

Candidates tailor their campaigns to address both local and national issues. They focus on key states where the vote is likely to change, adjusting their messaging to address the concerns of local populations, such as job loss, immigration, or healthcare.