How does the Electoral College work?

The Electoral College is a process used in the United States to elect the President and Vice President. It is a system that was established in the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors. Each state is allocated a certain number of electors based on the size of its population. The number of electors for each state is equal to the number of representatives and senators it has in Congress.

When voters cast their ballots in a presidential election, they are actually voting for the electors from their state. The electors are usually chosen by the political parties and are pledged to vote for the party's candidate. The candidate who receives a majority of the Electoral College votes (at least 270 out of 538) becomes the President of the United States.

While the Electoral College has been criticized for not always reflecting the will of the people, it remains an important part of the U.S. political system.