What is the Electoral College?
The Electoral College was a compromise reached by the founding fathers as an alternative to either electing the president through a nationwide popular vote or giving Congress the power to elect the president. Both of these options were deemed reckless. The process is mandated by the Constitution.
- Each state is allocated a number of electors equal to the number of senators and representatives serving in Congress.
- Most of the time, a state’s electors cast their votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote. There are two exceptions, Maine and Nebraska, that divide their electors among the winner in each congressional district. It is also legal for electors to vote contrary to the people’s decision.
- On the Monday following the second Wednesday in December, the electors cast their votes — one for president and one for vice president.
- These votes are delivered to the president of the Senate, who opens and reads them before both houses of Congress on January 6.
- A presidential and vice presidential candidate must win 270 of 538 possible votes. If no ticket reaches 270 votes, the election is decided by the House of Representatives.
- At noon on January 20, the president and vice president are sworn into office.