US Election 2024: Understanding The Presidential Electoral System
Today, Americans head to the polls in a pivotal U.S. presidential election, with voters deciding between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. The outcome will shape the next four years of American policy, as well as influence Congress, where key seats are also up for grabs.
The Candidates
Former President Donald Trump is running under the Republican ticket, having secured strong backing within his party. His chosen running mate is Ohio Senator JD Vance. On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris stepped in as the party’s candidate following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election. Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential pick. Independent candidates, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., initially joined the race but ultimately exited, with Kennedy endorsing Trump.
The Electoral Process
The U.S. presidential election follows the Electoral College system, as defined in the Constitution, where winning the national popular vote doesn’t guarantee victory. Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress. States receive two votes for their Senators, plus additional votes corresponding to their House districts, totaling 538 votes across the country. To win, a candidate must reach a majority of 270 electoral votes.
In most states, the “winner-takes-all” rule applies, meaning the candidate with the most votes within the state receives all of its electoral votes. However, Maine and Nebraska allow a split in electoral votes based on district-level results, adding a unique twist to their outcomes. California holds the highest electoral count with 54 votes, while smaller states like Alaska and Wyoming have three each.
Battleground States
Some states consistently lean Democratic or Republican, but “battleground” states can swing either way and are crucial to winning the election. In 2024, key battlegrounds include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states often attract intense campaigning, as candidates seek to sway undecided voters. Notably, it’s possible to lose the national popular vote but still secure the presidency through these states’ electoral votes, a scenario seen in the 2016 election.
Potential Election Outcomes
The Electoral College system occasionally produces unique outcomes. “Faithless electors” — those who vote against their pledged candidate — are rare but add an element of unpredictability. If no candidate reaches 270 votes, the election moves to a “contingent election” decided by the House of Representatives. In this scenario, each state delegation in the House casts one vote, potentially leading to the selection of a president from one party and a vice president from another. If needed, this vote would occur on January 6, 2025.
With close races in multiple states and a divisive political landscape, today’s election is poised to capture global attention and potentially shape American governance for years to come.
