The United States presidential elections are decided by the Electoral College system, which consists of 538 electors who ultimately choose the president. Each state gets a certain number of electors based on their representation in Congress, and most states use a winner-takes-all system where the candidate with the most votes in the state gets all of the electors.
However, Maine and Nebraska have a more complicated system where electors are allocated based on the popular vote on both the state and congressional district levels. To win the presidency, a candidate must secure at least 270 Electoral College votes. This system has been criticized because a candidate can win the popular vote but still lose the election, as seen in 2016 when Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump.
Supporters of the Electoral College argue that it ensures smaller states have a voice in the election process, while critics believe it undermines the principle of majority rule. The debate over the Electoral College continues in the US, with some calling for it to be replaced by a popular vote system.
Ultimately, the Electoral College is a key component of the US presidential election process, with the final votes of the electors being certified by Congress in early January. The system highlights the importance of winning support in key states to secure victory, making it a unique and sometimes controversial aspect of American democracy.
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