How the Electoral College Works

Each state gets # of electors equal to the # of Senators (2) plus # of Representatives (varies) that state has in Congress.

For instance, Virginia has 13 electors. 2 senators 11 representatives + = 13 electors

Political parties in each state submit list of people to be the electors. If their candidate wins the popular vote, their list of people is used.

The general election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. This is when the popular vote is cast. The popular vote is actually for the electors NOT the individual candidate.

The winner of the popular vote gets all the electors from the state The winner of the popular vote gets all the electors from the state. (Except for Maine and Nebraska, they do it differently.)

On the Monday after the second Wednesday in December, electors cast their votes in their state capitals. (Electors are supposed to vote for their party’s candidate.)

On January 6, electoral votes are counted in front of both houses of Congress.

A person must get a majority of electoral votes (270) to win A person must get a majority of electoral votes (270) to win. If no Presidential candidate gets a majority, the House of Representatives picks from the top 3 vote getters. Each state gets one vote.

If no vice-presidential candidate gets a majority of votes, the Senate gets to pick from the top 2 vote getters. Each state gets one vote.

At noon, January 20, the president and vice-president are sworn in.

What does this do to the campaign for President? it favors a two party political system

What does this do to the campaign for President? the winner-take-all system leads to candidates “targeting” large states (more time and money spent where they can winner larger numbers of electors)

What does this do to the campaign for President? successful candidates will pay attention to certain smaller states whose electors may be the difference in a close race.