How the Electoral College Works | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Americans don't directly vote for the President - the Electoral College, made up of 538 votes, determines the outcome.

Key Insights

• 🗯️ The Electoral College compromises between the popular vote and states' rights.
• ⚾ The distribution of electoral votes is based on each state's population.
• 🗯️ Americans living in territories and abroad do not have the right to vote for President.

Transcript

Ah, Election Day, when Americans everywhere cast their ballot for the next President of the United States. Except, not really – Americans don't directly vote for president. So, what's happening on election day then? It's a bit complicated because of something called the Electoral College. To keep things simple for now, think of the Electoral Colleg... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why don't Americans directly vote for the President?

Americans don't directly vote for the President due to the existence of the Electoral College, which was designed to balance the power between large and small states and protect minority interests.

Q: How are the electoral votes divided among the states?

Each state receives three electoral votes to start, and the remaining votes are distributed proportionally based on the state's population. This means that more populous states have more electoral votes.

Q: What happens if a candidate wins a majority in a state?

If a candidate wins a majority in a state, they receive all of that state's electoral votes. This winner-takes-all approach is followed by 48 of the 50 states.

Q: Do Americans living in territories or abroad have the right to vote for President?

Americans living in territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Americans living abroad, do not have the right to vote for President. Only residents of states and the District of Columbia can vote for President.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Electoral College is a collection of 538 votes that determine the President of the United States.

• Each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes based on its population.

• Citizens vote for electors who then cast the official votes for President in early December.