Ever wondered how a presidential candidate can win the popular vote but still lose the election? The answer lies in the Electoral College. But how do electoral votes *actually* work?
Essentially, instead of directly voting for a candidate, you're voting for a slate of electors who have pledged to support that candidate. Each state gets a number of electors equal to its total number of representatives in Congress (House + Senate).
When you vote in a presidential election, your state's popular vote determines which candidate receives *all* of that state's electoral votes (with a few exceptions like Maine and Nebraska). The candidate who secures at least 270 electoral votes wins the presidency.
This system, established by the Founding Fathers, aims to balance the power of populous states with that of less populated ones. While controversial, understanding the Electoral College is crucial for understanding the American presidential election process.
