How the United States’ electoral college works

Sub : IR

Sec :Places in news

Overview of the Electoral College:

The Electoral College is a unique system used in the United States to elect the President and Vice President. It allows for electors, chosen based on the popular vote in each state, to formally cast votes for these candidates.
The U.S. is the only democracy where a candidate can win the popular vote but still lose the presidency, a situation that has occurred four times, notably in 2000 and 2016.

Structure of the Electoral College:

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, with a majority of 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
Each state has a number of electors equal to its total Congressional delegation (House Representatives + 2 Senators). California has the most electors (54), while six states, including Wyoming and Vermont, have the smallest allocation (3 electors).

Selection of Electors:

Political parties select a slate of electors prior to the election, typically comprised of dedicated party members and affiliates.
The U.S. Constitution specifies that certain individuals, such as members of Congress and federal officeholders, cannot serve as electors.
While electors usually vote for their party’s candidate, there are no federal laws requiring them to do so.

Election of Electors:

The Electoral College is effectively chosen through the popular vote during the presidential election on November 5.
On Election Day, voters cast ballots for their preferred presidential candidate, which actually elects the electors pledged to that candidate.
Most states use a winner-takes-all system, where the candidate with the most votes in a state receives all of that state’s electoral votes, except in Maine and Nebraska, which use a proportional system.

Role of Electors:

Electors meet in their state capitals in December to cast their votes for President and Vice President, a process largely seen as a formality.
Most electors vote according to the popular vote, though there is no federal mandate requiring them to do so. Some states impose penalties for faithless electors who do not vote as pledged.