By Staff Writer: Jamiliere Luranc Sweeney
The 2024 General Election is just a few weeks away and as we get closer you’re probably hearing a lot about the Electoral College. This system plays a key role in determining who will become the president. Rather than using just the popular vote to determine the winner, the Electoral College assigns a set number of electors to each state based on its population. A higher population means more electors. There are 538 electors in total, and a candidate needs at least 270 to win the presidency.
Every state, except Maine and Nebraska, uses a winner-takes-all system, meaning whichever candidate wins the popular vote in a state receives all of its electoral votes. Because most states use this method, it can result in a candidate winning the presidency without securing the most votes nationwide. This has led to ongoing debates about fairness, with some advocating in favor of a national popular vote so representation can be more proportional.
While the Electoral College ultimately determines the outcome of the election, your vote decides which candidate receives your state’s electoral votes. Every vote counts and participating in elections is one of the best ways to ensure that your voice is heard. Make sure to cast your ballot by November 5th to participate in this year’s election.