Electoral College
The system of 538 electors who formally elect the US president; a candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.
The Electoral College is the constitutional mechanism by which the United States elects its president and vice president. Each state receives a number of electors equal to its total congressional representation - its House seats plus its two Senate seats.
In total, there are 538 electors. Washington D.C. receives 3 electors under the 23rd Amendment. A candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes to become president.
In 48 states, the winner of the popular vote in that state receives all of its electoral votes (winner-take-all). Maine and Nebraska use a congressional-district method that can split their electoral votes.
If no candidate reaches 270, the House of Representatives chooses the president, with each state delegation casting one vote - a contingent election.
Example
In 2028, Election Day is November 7. Electors meet in their state capitals in December to cast their official votes.
Keep learning
The majority of 538 total electoral votes a presidential candidate must reach to be elected president.
A vote cast by an Electoral College elector toward electing the president; each state's electors equal its House seats plus two Senate seats.
An Electoral College elector who casts a vote for a different candidate than the one they were pledged to support.
The total number of individual votes cast by citizens across the country for each presidential candidate.