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How the Electoral College works

Americans do not vote for president directly. Each state appoints electors equal to its number of U.S. senators and representatives, and Washington, D.C. has three. There are 538 electors in all, and a candidate needs a majority of 270 to win.

Winner takes all, with two exceptions

In 48 states and D.C. the candidate with the most votes statewide wins all of the state’s electors. Maine and Nebraska award two electors to the statewide winner and one to the winner of each congressional district.

From Election Day to inauguration

  1. Voters cast ballots on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
  2. Each state counts and certifies its results; the governor signs a Certificate of Ascertainment naming the electors.
  3. Electors meet in their states in December and cast their votes.
  4. Congress counts the electoral votes in a joint session on January 6.
  5. The president is inaugurated on January 20.

When no one reaches 270

If no candidate wins a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the president, with each state delegation casting one vote. This happened in 1800 and 1824.

Try the 270-to-win map · Elections where the popular vote and the Electoral College disagreed