I’m trying to understand the Electoral College system in the United States. Can someone explain what the Electoral College is and how it functions in presidential elections? I’ve heard about it, but I’m not entirely sure how it works and why it’s used instead of a popular vote. I’d appreciate a clear explanation to help me grasp this aspect of the American electoral process.
The Electoral College is a system used in the United States to elect the President. Each state is assigned a certain number of electoral votes based on its population, totaling 538 votes. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote receives all of that state’s electoral votes, a system known as “winner takes all.” Electors are chosen by each political party in each state and pledge to vote for their party’s candidate. After the general election, these electors meet in their respective states to cast their votes for President. These votes are then counted by Congress, and the candidate with the majority of electoral votes becomes President. Critics argue that the Electoral College can sometimes lead to outcomes where the winner of the popular vote doesn’t win the presidency.