U.S. citizens vote on November 5 for the 47th President in the 60th quadrennial elections.
Main candidates: Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris.
Electoral College System:
The winner is decided by electoral college votes, not the popular vote.
Historical examples include George Bush Jr. (2000) and Donald Trump (2016), where electoral votes determined the winner despite popular vote outcomes.
What is the Electoral College?:
An intermediary process where voters select electors who then vote for the President.
Each State’s electors are proportional to its Congressional representation (House + Senate).
Originated to balance State representation in the election.
Election Process:
Each party nominates electors for each State.
Electors from the winning party of the popular vote in each State vote in December.
Most electors follow their State’s popular vote; those who don’t are called "faithless electors."
States with maximum electoral votes: California (54), Texas (40), Florida (30).
538 total electoral votes; 270 needed to win.
Tie Scenario:
Only happened twice (1800, 1824); resolved by the House of Representatives.
If a tie occurs, the House votes by State delegation to elect the President, needing 26 State votes.
Congress counts electoral votes in early January, and the new President takes office on January 20, 2025.
If House Fails to Decide:
Vice-President serves as Acting President until a decision is reached.
Senate elects the Vice-President with 51 votes needed for a majority.
Possible for the President and Vice-President to be from different parties.
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