Table of Contents
Electing a president involves a series of steps that vary by country. In the United States, the process includes voting, the Electoral College, and the final certification. This article provides a simple overview of how presidents are elected in the U.S.
Voting by Citizens
Citizens of the country cast their votes during a general election. These votes are called popular votes. People usually vote for a candidate from a political party they support. The candidate with the most votes in each state wins that state’s electoral votes.
The Electoral College
The Electoral College is a group of electors chosen by each state. The number of electors from each state equals its total number of representatives in Congress. After the popular votes are counted, electors cast their votes for president based on the state’s results.
The candidate who receives the majority of electoral votes becomes the president. A total of 270 electoral votes are needed to win the election.
Final Certification
The electoral votes are sent to Congress, where they are officially counted. If a candidate has at least 270 votes, Congress certifies the election results. The candidate then takes the oath of office and officially becomes the president.
Summary of the Process
- Citizens vote in the general election.
- Electors in the Electoral College cast their votes.
- Congress counts the electoral votes.
- The candidate with at least 270 votes becomes president.