The Word: Electoral College
The Meaning: The Electoral College is a body of
538 electors that determine the official outcome of the
Presidential elections. Each state's representation in the
Electoral College is based on the state population (two per state,
plus one for each Congressional district). Washington, DC has three
electoral votes, but other U.S. territories do not have
any.
After the votes are cast on Election Day, electors gather in
their respective state capitols to cast votes for President and
Vice President based on their state's popular vote. The
vote is then certified.
In all states except Maine and Nebraska, which use a
district-based electoral system, votes are awarded winner-take-all
– a candidate just needs to receive 51% of the popular vote
to receive all the state's electoral votes. Each state decides
how electors are chosen; no person holding elected or appointed
federal office can serve as an elector. A candidate needs 270
electoral
