The Electoral College is not a physical location but a structured process outlined in the U.S. Constitution. It was created by the Founding Fathers as a compromise between electing the President through a congressional vote and electing the President via a direct popular vote by citizens.
How Does the Electoral College Work?
The process involves three key steps:
- Selecting the electors.
- Electors meeting to vote for the President and Vice President.
- Counting electoral votes in Congress.
Number and Distribution of Electors
The Electoral College comprises 538 electors. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. Each state has a number of electors equal to its representation in Congress—one for each House Representative plus two for its Senators.
The District of Columbia, under the 23rd Amendment, receives three electors and is treated as a state in the Electoral College system. In this context, the term “State” also includes the District of Columbia, and “Executive” refers to state governors and the D.C. mayor.
Choosing Electors and Their Role
Each presidential candidate has a designated group of electors, known as a “slate,” in every state. These slates are generally chosen by the candidate’s political party, though specific rules vary by state. State laws determine the selection process and the obligations of electors when casting their votes.
The General Election and Its Importance
Presidential elections occur every four years on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. When you cast your vote for a presidential candidate, you are actually voting for that candidate’s electors.
Most states use a “winner-take-all” system, meaning all electoral votes go to the candidate who wins the state’s popular vote. However, Maine and Nebraska use a system that allocates electors based on proportional representation.
What Happens After the General Election?
Once the general election concludes, each state’s Executive compiles a Certificate of Ascertainment. This document lists all elector slates, the votes each received, and the electors officially appointed. This certificate is then submitted to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) as part of the official election records.
Meeting of the Electors
Electors meet in their respective states on the first Tuesday following the second Wednesday in December after the general election. They cast separate votes for the President and Vice President. These votes are recorded on a Certificate of Vote, which is then sent to Congress and NARA for official documentation.
Counting Electoral Votes in Congress
On January 6 of the year following the election, Congress holds a joint session in the House Chamber to count the electoral votes. The Vice President, acting as the President of the Senate, presides over the session and officially announces the results. The President of the Senate then declares the elected President and Vice President.
Inauguration of the President
The President-elect is officially sworn into office on January 20 of the year following the election, marking the beginning of the new presidential term