electoral college
Quick Summary
The Electoral College is the process by which the United States chooses its president and vice president. It was established by the U.S. Constitution as a compromise to balance the influence of populous states with that of less populous ones.12
When Americans vote for president, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to a particular candidate. Each state is allocated a number of electors equal to its total number of senators and representatives in Congress. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote receives all of that state's electoral votes (winner-take-all). Electors then meet to cast their votes, and a candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.23
A significant criticism is that the winner of the popular vote can lose the election, as happened in 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016. Supporters argue it protects smaller states and ensures broad geographic support, while opponents advocate for a direct popular vote.43
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