TED Talks Daily Does your vote count? The Electoral College explained | Christina Greer
Sep 18, 2020
Christina Greer, an educator and TED Ed contributor, dives deep into the complexities of the Electoral College. She explains how individual votes interact with both popular and electoral votes in different states. The discussion highlights the crucial distinction between swing and safe states. Greer sheds light on the often-misunderstood potential for a candidate to win the presidency without securing the popular vote, inviting listeners to reflect on the intricacies of the American electoral system.
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Electoral College Basics
- The Electoral College is a group of people chosen by each state to officially elect the U.S. president and vice president.
- The number of electors (538) equals the total voting members of Congress plus three electors from the District of Columbia.
State Electoral Votes
- Each state's electoral votes are based on its population size, determined by the census.
- Candidates aim to win states with many electoral votes, like Texas, Florida, and New York.
Popular Vote vs. Electoral Vote
- It's possible to win the popular vote but lose the election due to the Electoral College system.
- This happens when a candidate wins many small states while the loser wins fewer large states with higher total electoral votes.