As Americans prepare to cast their votes in the upcoming election, it's important to understand the role of the Electoral College in determining the next president and vice president of the United States. When voters head to the polls, they are actually voting for a slate of electors who will ultimately cast the official votes for president and vice president on December 17.
The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each state is allocated a certain number of electoral votes based on its total number of US senators and representatives. To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of at least 270 electoral votes.
