Can some one please explain to me how the Electoral College works?

Answer 1

The number of Electoral Votes that a state gets is only partially based on population. Each states gets a number Electoral Votes equal to the number of its senators plus the number of its representatives in the House of Representatives. Since every state has two Senators, and at least one House member, even the smallest state gets 3 electoral votes. The state of Wyoming (with its 3 electoral votes) has about one electoral vote for every 150,000 citizens - whereas Florida (with its 27 electoral votes) has about one electoral vote for every 600,000 citizens.

In theory, this system gives extra protection to small states, but in practice, the candidates don't pay much attention to small or large states after the primary elections, unless the state is a swing state with roughly an equal number of people who are likely to vote Democratic or Republican.

For information on how the system could be changed without a constitutional amendment, see:

www.nationalpopularvote.com

Answer 2

Each state is allotted electoral votes based on their population. California, Texas, and New York right now have the most since they are the most populous. During the election in November, each state pledges their electoral votes to the candidate who receives most of the popular vote in their state. A candidate has to amass a majority of the votes (270 out of 538) in order to be declared the winner.

Many feel the electoral college should be either abolished or revised. I've included the link to the Wikipedia entry for more detailed reading.

Answer 3

When you vote you actually are voting for a slate of electors. Who ever gets a plurality of the vote in a state gets all the electors. Which ever candidates gets a majority of electoral votes becomes the next President. If noone get a majority, the House elects the president with each state getting 1 vote. This has only happened once in our history, in 1824. The House chose John Quincy Adams.

Answer 4

Electoral college represents the state after the majority of the voters had chosen winner in the state level. The votes of the electoral college of all states determines the winner in the national level.