What is the Electoral College? Explained

why do 538 people decide who becomes the president of the United States let's dive into the Electoral College so the Electoral College it's a group of 538 electors who actually vote for the President and Vice President why 538 and that's the total number of Senators and representatives in Congress plus three for Washington DC each state gets a certain number of electors based on its population more people more electors for example California has 55 but little Wyoming just three on Election Day when you vote you're actually voting for a slate of electors chosen by your party when the popular vote in your state your electors go to the Electoral College Most states are Winner Takes all but Nebraska and Maine they split their votes and here's a fun fact you need 270 electoral votes to win the presidency that's just over half of 538 so while your vote is super important it's these electors who cast the final ballots now you know the basics stay curious and keep voting