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American Government Lecture Seven (view source)
Revision as of 18:53, October 24, 2012
, 18:53, October 24, 2012clarified
{{Government Lectures}}
{{Government Lectures}}
The latest polling suggests that Mitt Romney may win the most votes nationwide, but lose the election. How is that possible?
The latest polling suggests that Mitt Romney may win the most votes nationwide, but lose the election. How is that possible?
== The Electoral College ==
== The Electoral College ==
Each State has a certain number of Electoral College votes, which equals the total of the State's representatives plus senators. Because every State has at least one representative and two senators, the minimum number of Electoral College votes is 3. The least-populated states (Alaska, Montana and Wyoming), have 3 Electoral College votes apiece. Heavily populated States have many more. Texas has 38 Electoral College votes, Florida has 29, Ohio has 18, and New Jersey has 14.
Each State has a certain number of Electoral College votes, which equals the total of the State's congressmen (including their senators). Because every State has at least one representative in the House and two senators, the minimum number of Electoral College votes is 3. The least-populated states (Alaska, Montana and Wyoming), have 3 Electoral College votes apiece. Heavily populated States have many more. Texas has 38 Electoral College votes, Florida has 29, Ohio has 18, and New Jersey has 14.
Under the Constitution, the members of the Electoral College meet on one day in December to elect the next president. A total of 270 Electoral College votes are needed by a candidate to win the election. If no candidate wins that many (as occurred in 1824), then the House of Representatives picks the next president.
Under the Constitution, the members of the Electoral College meet on one day in December to elect the next president. A total of 270 Electoral College votes are needed by a candidate to win the election. If no candidate wins that many (as occurred in 1824), then the House of Representatives picks the next president.