American Election Results: How the Electoral College Gave Donald Trump ‘Victory’

Republican Presidential candidate, Donald Trump has claimed victory in the ongoing US election, potentially beating Democratic aspirant, Kamala Harris. Although counting is still being finalised, with the results so far, and the battleground states in Trump’s bag, the winner is not in doubt.

In the United States, the president is chosen through a system called the Electoral College, which has been in place since 1787. If you’re following the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, here’s a simplified breakdown of how it all works.

Popular Vote vs. Electoral Vote

When Americans vote in a presidential election, their votes count toward the “popular vote.” This means each individual’s vote is tallied up within their state to show which candidate people prefer. However, winning the popular vote nationwide doesn’t automatically make someone president.

The president is actually chosen through “electoral votes.” These votes come from electors — people chosen from each state based on its population size. The candidate who wins at least 270 electoral votes (out of 538) becomes president.

How Electoral Votes Are Counted

Each state has a certain number of electors, which equals the total number of senators and representatives it has in the US Congress. Every state has two senators, but the number of representatives varies by population. For example:

California has 54 electoral votes (2 senators + 52 representatives).

Alaska, a smaller state, has only 3 electoral votes (2 senators + 1 representative).

So, on Election Day, Americans are technically voting for electors in their state who promise to support a particular candidate. These electors then officially cast their votes for president.

Why Some States Are More Important

Most states use a “winner-take-all” rule, meaning the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state gets all its electoral votes. This is why candidates focus on “swing states” like Pennsylvania and Michigan, where voters could choose either major candidate. Winning these states often makes the difference in the election.

Can a Candidate Win the Popular Vote but Lose the Election?

Yes. Because the Electoral College focuses on winning states rather than individual votes, a candidate can win the overall popular vote but lose in the Electoral College. This has happened five times in US history, including in 2016 when Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, but Donald Trump won the Electoral College.

In summary

Americans vote for electors who then vote for the president.

Candidates need 270 electoral votes to win.

Swing states are crucial because they can decide the election.

A candidate can win more individual votes nationwide but still lose if they don’t get enough electoral votes.

This system shapes how presidential campaigns operate and where candidates focus their efforts.