Aaron Blake and Amy Gardner, both political reporters at The Washington Post, break down the complex workings of the electoral college. They explain how electors are chosen and their crucial role in the presidential election process. The duo highlights the challenges of achieving a majority, emphasizing how state populations impact electoral votes. They also delve into unique vote distribution methods in Maine and Nebraska, and discuss what happens if no candidate secures the needed 270 votes. This insightful conversation makes a complicated subject approachable and engaging.
The Electoral College comprises 538 electors, with states assigned electors based on congressional representation, influencing presidential elections substantially.
The winner-take-all system in most states means a candidate can secure all electoral votes even with a narrow victory margin.
Deep dives
Understanding the Electoral College
The Electoral College is a crucial mechanism for electing the president and vice president in the United States, comprising 538 electors. Each state is assigned a number of electors based on its congressional representation, which includes members of the House and two Senators. Voters cast their ballots not directly for their preferred candidates, but for a slate of electors pledged to those candidates, meaning that the actual vote goes to the electors rather than the candidates themselves. The system is structured so that a candidate must secure a majority of 270 electoral votes to win the presidency, underscoring the importance of both popular and electoral votes in the election process.
Winner-Take-All System and State Dynamics
In the majority of states, the winner-take-all system dictates that the candidate receiving the most votes in that state collects all of its electoral votes, regardless of the margin of victory. This means that winning an election by a razor-thin margin grants the same electoral power as a landslide victory, leading to scenarios where candidates focus on a handful of competitive swing states. States like California, Texas, and Florida possess a substantial number of electoral votes due to their population, but many less populated states remain overlooked as candidates prioritize states where they might actually swing the vote. Additionally, Nebraska and Maine use a different approach, distributing their electoral votes by congressional districts, which allows for a more granular allocation of electoral support.
The Process of Electing a President
The process of making a presidential win official is much more intricate than it might appear, beginning after the state votes are counted and certified. In mid-December, the elected electors meet to cast their votes formally, sending certificates to Washington for a joint session of Congress held on January 6th, where the votes are counted. This session culminates in declaring the president-elect, followed by the inauguration on January 20th. Notably, the Electoral College system works independently of the national popular vote, which means the candidate receiving the most votes nationwide does not necessarily become president, highlighting the complexities of the American electoral system.
Remembering all the complex details of how the electoral college works is not exactly easy. And just when you’ve mastered how it all adds up, you probably won’t need to think about it again for another four years — hardly a formula for cementing something in your brain. “Try This” host Cristina Quinn is here to help.
The first class in our three-part series on the electoral college explains how the system works, the complicated way electoral votes are assigned and awarded, and what happens between Election Day and Inauguration Day. Washington Post politics reporters Aaron Blake and Amy Gardner join Cristina to make the whole thing so accessible that your high school civics teacher would be proud.
Here are some resources if you’d like to dive deeper into the electoral college: