In addition to choosing the next tenant of the White House, Americans elect 471 candidates for federal political positions on the same day: 435 members of the House of Representatives and 34 members of the Senate, the two chambers that form the American Congress.
If the election of members of Congress obeys the rules of popular vote, the choice of the head of state is decided by the famous electors, according to an electoral system unique to the country of Uncle Sam.
The total number of electors, also called the electoral college, is 538.
They are distributed across the 51 American states, in proportion to the population of each state. With 39 million inhabitants, California has 54 electoral votes compared to 3 for Wyoming, which has 586,000 inhabitants. The winner must collect at least 270 of these colleges.
The candidate who wins a simple majority of universal suffrage in a state pockets all the electoral colleges in that state.
Forty-four states traditionally vote for one or other of the Democratic or Republican candidates.
Seven swing states, where voters switch between Democrats and Republicans, therefore decide the outcome of the election. These states are Arizona (which has 11 electoral colleges), North Carolina (16), Georgia (16), Michigan (15), Nevada (6), Pennsylvania (19) and Wisconsin (10). ).
Once the popular vote has passed on November 5, the electors meet on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of December (December 16 for this year) to elect the next president. His running mate automatically becomes vice-president.
The electors are required to comply with the popular choice. If a major voter does not respect this obligation—in which case he or she is called “disloyal”—he or she runs the risk of being fined or, in the worst case, being prosecuted.
In 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000 and most recently in 2016, presidential candidates won the popular vote, but without winning the presidential election due to this reality.
The announcement of the results of the vote varies according to the laws of each state, which determine the method of counting the ballots.
Thus, in the absence of an overwhelming victory allowing one of the candidates to win the 270 colleges required on polling day, the results risk delaying between two and 29 days after voting day.
The fact that the race is very close between the two candidates also contributes to the delay in the announcement of the results, as does the number of people who voted on election day, as opposed to those who voted in advance.
Faced with this state of affairs, many observers underline the uncertainty that hangs over the current presidential election, and the anxiety that this arouses among voters.
In the event that neither of the two contenders collects the 270 electoral colleges required after the vote of the electors, the vote is taken to the House of Representatives. This happened in 1800 and 1824, where the lower house chose Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams respectively.
The inauguration of the new president is scheduled for January 20.
Interview Between the Time.news Editor and Political Expert Dr. Sarah Thompson
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Thompson! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the intricacies of the upcoming elections in the United States. As we know, this election is significant, not just for the presidency but also for a substantial number of congressional seats. Can you break down what Americans are voting for on November 5th?
Dr. Sarah Thompson: Absolutely! On that day, voters will not only select their next president but will also elect 471 candidates for federal positions. This includes all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 34 members of the Senate. Together, these lawmakers shape the legislative body we call Congress, which plays a critical role in governance.
Editor: It’s fascinating how the process of electing the president is so different from that of Congress. Can you explain the electoral college system to our readers?
Dr. Thompson: Certainly! The President of the United States is elected through a system known as the electoral college, which consists of 538 electors. These electors are apportioned among the states based on population. For instance, California has 54 electoral votes because of its large population, while Wyoming, with significantly fewer residents, has just 3. Candidates need to secure at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Editor: So, if I understand correctly, winning the popular vote in a state means the candidate gets all of that state’s electoral votes, right?
Dr. Thompson: Exactly! It’s a winner-takes-all system in most states, which can lead to some controversial outcomes where a candidate can win the presidency without winning the national popular vote. This system amplifies the importance of swing states—those states where voters can swing either way between Democratic and Republican candidates.
Editor: Which states are considered swing states this election, and why are they so pivotal?
Dr. Thompson: The key swing states this year include Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states have shown a tendency to fluctuate between parties in previous elections, making them battlegrounds. Candidates often focus their strategies and resources on these states because they can tip the balance of electoral votes needed to win.
Editor: What happens after the popular vote on Election Day?
Dr. Thompson: After Election Day, the electors meet on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of December—in this case, December 16—to formally cast their votes for the president. Importantly, the running mate of the winning candidate automatically becomes the vice president.
Editor: It sounds like a complex and layered process! Are electors required to vote in accordance with the popular vote in their states, or is there flexibility?
Dr. Thompson: By law, most electors are required to vote according to the results of the popular vote in their state. However, this has led to debates about “faithless electors,” who might vote contrary to their mandate. While rare, there have been instances where electors have either abstained or voted for someone other than the candidate who won their state’s vote.
Editor: It certainly raises interesting questions about voter representation and the overall election process. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the electorate this year?
Dr. Thompson: I think one of the greatest challenges is voter turnout, especially in crucial swing states. High participation rates are essential to ensure that the voices of constituents are heard, and key issues like voter suppression and misinformation can greatly impact that turnout.
Editor: Thank you for those insights, Dr. Thompson! It’s clear that the election process in the U.S. is intricate, and understanding it is crucial for informed voting. We appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise with us.
Dr. Thompson: Thank you for having me! It’s vital that voters understand the stakes and the processes involved in this upcoming election. Every vote truly matters!