Thinking in English
318. How Does the US Presidential Election Work? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Nov 4, 2024
The upcoming US presidential election is heating up, featuring Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Dive into the candidate selection process and get acquainted with essential electoral vocabulary. Discover the intricacies of the two-party system and the pivotal role of the Electoral College. Learn how delegates influence campaign strategies and what happens on election day. Explore evolving voting methods, especially post-pandemic, and understand the significance of key states. This whirlwind tour reveals what makes US elections uniquely complex!
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Quick takeaways
- The US presidential election process involves an Electoral College system where candidates are elected through a designated group of electors rather than direct votes.
- Each election features a unique candidate selection process through primaries and caucuses, reflecting distinct strategies and party dynamics within the two-party system.
Deep dives
Understanding the Electoral Process
The electoral process in the United States hinges on a unique system known as the Electoral College, which complicates the way votes translate into election outcomes. Voters cast their ballots not directly for candidates, but for a designated group of electors who ultimately decide the presidency. To win, a candidate must secure a majority of the 538 electoral votes, with 270 required for victory. This system can lead to scenarios where a candidate wins the presidency despite receiving fewer raw votes, as evidenced by the 2016 election where Donald Trump triumphed over Hillary Clinton despite losing the popular vote by three million.
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