The U.S. Electoral College is a unique method for electing the president, differing from most systems that rely solely on the popular vote. Instead, it involves citizens voting for electors, who then formally vote for the president.
How the Electoral College Works
When Americans vote in presidential elections, they aren’t voting directly for the president. Instead, they’re selecting a slate of electors chosen by their party to represent them in the Electoral College.
These electors, representing each state, cast the official votes for president and vice president.
Each state has a set number of electors based on its total congressional representation—its two Senators plus the number of Representatives, which varies by population.
This means larger states like California, Texas, and Florida have more electoral votes, increasing their influence.
For example, Florida, where Donald Trump is expected to vote, has 29 electoral votes, making it a key state in presidential races.
In most states, the "winner-takes-all" rule applies: the candidate with the most popular votes in a state receives all of its electoral votes.
However, Maine and Nebraska use the “district method,” awarding some of their electoral votes based on the outcome in individual congressional districts, potentially splitting votes between candidates.
Once each state has awarded its electoral votes, the Electoral College convenes in December to cast these votes based on the state-level results.
Congress then tallies the electoral votes in early January, and a candidate must secure at least 270 out of 538 votes to win. If no candidate reaches this majority, the House of Representatives decides, with each state delegation casting a single vote.
History and Purpose of the Electoral College
The Founding Fathers created the Electoral College as a compromise between direct popular election and selection by Congress.
It was designed to balance power between larger and smaller states and to give electors a role in safeguarding against uninformed voting choices.
The system has faced ongoing debate. Critics argue that it undermines the principle of “one person, one vote” by giving certain states outsized influence.
Supporters counter that it ensures candidates appeal to a wider range of states, rather than only focusing on high-population areas.
Key Examples of the Electoral College in Action
2000 Election: Bush vs. Gore
One notable example of the Electoral College’s impact was the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
Gore received about 500,000 more votes nationwide, but Bush won the presidency by securing Florida’s electoral votes after a contentious recount and a Supreme Court ruling.
This gave Bush 271 electoral votes, narrowly surpassing the 270 needed, despite losing the popular vote.
2016 Election: Trump vs. Clinton
In 2016, the Electoral College outcome again diverged from the popular vote. Although Hillary Clinton won nearly three million more votes than Donald Trump, he secured key swing states, leading to a decisive 304-227 electoral victory.
This sparked renewed calls for Electoral College reform.
1824 Election: Adams vs. Jackson
The 1824 election between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson was an unusual case where no candidate won a majority of electoral votes.
Although Jackson had the most popular and electoral votes, the decision went to the House of Representatives, which selected Adams, a move that caused public outcry.
1888 Election: Harrison vs. Cleveland
In 1888, incumbent President Grover Cleveland won the popular vote but lost the presidency to Benjamin Harrison due to Harrison’s electoral majority.
This result highlighted how the Electoral College can prioritize electoral distribution over the popular vote.
Criticisms and Support for the Electoral College
Critics argue that the Electoral College amplifies the influence of swing states and can discourage voter participation in states with predictable outcomes.
They contend that the system can lead to “disenfranchisement,” especially when voters in strongly partisan states feel their votes don’t matter.
Supporters argue that the Electoral College supports federalism and prevents a few populous states from dominating national outcomes.
By requiring candidates to win support across multiple regions, the system encourages broader campaigning and policymaking.
Proposals for Reform
Calls for reforming the Electoral College have increased, with some proposing a shift to a national popular vote to directly reflect voter preference.
Others advocate for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), where participating states agree to allocate their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner.
This approach would effectively bypass the Electoral College without requiring a constitutional amendment, but it only takes effect if states representing at least 270 electoral votes join the compact.