The Electoral College
Americans elect the president through 538 electors chosen state by state. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win.
The basics
- When you vote for president, you are really choosing your state's electors. Each candidate has a slate of electors, usually picked by their party in that state.
- There are 538 electors. Each state gets one for each member of the House and Senate, and Washington, D.C. gets 3. Winning takes at least 270.
- Every state except Maine and Nebraska gives all its electors to the statewide winner. Those two give one per congressional district and two to the statewide winner, so they can split.
- Electors vote in their own states in mid-December, and Congress counts the votes on January 6. If no one reaches 270, the House of Representatives picks the president.
- The Constitution does not force electors to follow their state's vote, but many states do. In 2020 the Supreme Court ruled that states can enforce those pledges.
Why it matters to you
Your vote helps decide which electors your state sends. It also explains how a candidate can win the presidency with fewer popular votes nationwide, as happened most recently in 2000 and 2016.
Myth vs. fact
MythThe president is picked by a direct national popular vote.
FactNo. Voters in each state choose electors, and the electors cast the votes that decide the president.
MythElectors can vote for anyone with no consequences.
FactMany states require electors to vote as pledged and can fine or replace those who don't. The Supreme Court upheld these laws in 2020.
Where people disagree
Should the U.S. keep the Electoral College or change how the president is elected?
Supporters say
- Counting votes state by state fits the country's federal system, where people belong to both a state and the nation.
- Candidates must win support across many states, which encourages broad coalitions and stability.
- A very close nationwide popular vote could lead to disputes and recounts across the whole country.
Critics say
- A candidate can win the presidency while getting fewer votes nationwide, which critics see as unfair.
- Winner-take-all means votes for the losing candidate in a state do not help elect any electors.
- Every state gets two extra electors no matter its size, so a vote in a smaller state carries more weight.
We present the main arguments fairly. We don't take sides.
What you can do
- Look up how many electoral votes your state has and how your state awards them.
- Read the strongest arguments on both sides of the debate before forming your own view.
- Make a voting plan for the next presidential election.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. Rules can vary by state; check your official sources.