Understanding the Electoral College

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Electoral College

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System to elect U.S. President

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Total Electors

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538

Front

Majority Needed

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270

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Electors per State

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Based on population + 2 senators

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Winner-Takes-All

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Most states use this rule

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Maine and Nebraska

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Use proportional allocation

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Tie in Electoral Votes

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House of Representatives decides

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Faithless Elector

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Elector who doesn't vote as pledged

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First Use

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1789, George Washington

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Criticism

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Can win presidency without popular vote