Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have been actively campaigning for the 2024 presidential election, traversing the nation to secure votes for the White House.
As the election season unfolds, American citizens often ponder the significance of their individual votes, particularly in light of the Electoral College's role in the process.
While local and state officials are elected based on the popular vote, the President and Vice President of the United States are chosen through a combination of the popular vote and the Electoral College. Although these two typically align, historical instances, such as Trump's 2016 victory in the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton, demonstrate exceptions to this norm.
The Electoral College, established by the 12th Amendment of the Constitution in 1804, comprises 538 electoral votes, with a candidate needing a minimum of 270 to secure victory.
Each state, along with Washington D.C., has its own set of electors, with 48 states and D.C. employing a winner-takes-all approach for electoral votes, except for Maine and Nebraska, which use a proportional system.
While the popular vote occurs in November, the electoral vote takes place about a month later in mid-December. The selection process for electors varies by state, with slates chosen at state party conventions or through party central committee votes.
During a general election, voters select electors who pledge to vote for specific candidates, although they are not legally bound to do so. Despite calls for reform over the years, the Electoral College remains intact, with only one proposed amendment coming close to passage in 1969 before being filibustered in the Senate.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently advocated for the elimination of the Electoral College, emphasizing the need for a national popular vote. However, any significant change to the current system would necessitate a substantial constitutional amendment.
