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Questions and Answers
Electors must cast at least one vote for a person from outside their ______.
Electors must cast at least one vote for a person from outside their ______.
State
The candidate with the most electoral votes and an absolute majority is declared ______.
The candidate with the most electoral votes and an absolute majority is declared ______.
president
If no one obtains an absolute majority for president, the ______ selects the president.
If no one obtains an absolute majority for president, the ______ selects the president.
U.S. House of Representatives
The duly elected president and vice president are sworn into office at noon on ______ 20.
The duly elected president and vice president are sworn into office at noon on ______ 20.
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The U.S. Senate makes the selection for vice president if no candidate obtains an absolute majority from the top ______ contenders.
The U.S. Senate makes the selection for vice president if no candidate obtains an absolute majority from the top ______ contenders.
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Each State is allocated a number of Electors equal to the number of its U.S. Senators (always 2) plus the number of its U.S. ______.
Each State is allocated a number of Electors equal to the number of its U.S. Senators (always 2) plus the number of its U.S. ______.
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Political parties submit a list of individuals pledged to their candidate for ______.
Political parties submit a list of individuals pledged to their candidate for ______.
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Members of Congress and employees of the federal government are prohibited from serving as an ______.
Members of Congress and employees of the federal government are prohibited from serving as an ______.
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The major parties nominate their candidates for president and vice president in national ______.
The major parties nominate their candidates for president and vice president in national ______.
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On the Tuesday following the first Monday of November, the people in each State cast their ______ for the party slate of Electors.
On the Tuesday following the first Monday of November, the people in each State cast their ______ for the party slate of Electors.
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Whichever party slate wins the most popular votes in the State becomes that State's ______.
Whichever party slate wins the most popular votes in the State becomes that State's ______.
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On the Monday following the second Wednesday of December, each State's Electors meet in their respective State ______.
On the Monday following the second Wednesday of December, each State's Electors meet in their respective State ______.
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The two exceptions to the winner-takes-all system are ______ and Nebraska.
The two exceptions to the winner-takes-all system are ______ and Nebraska.
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Study Notes
Electoral College Overview
- Each State has Electors equal to its U.S. Senators (always 2) and U.S. Representatives, which can change based on population census every decade.
- Political parties submit lists of pledged individuals as Electors to the State's chief election official, equal to the State's electoral votes.
- Major parties select Electors through State conventions or appointments; third parties and independents designate theirs directly.
Rules and Regulations
- Members of Congress and federal government employees cannot serve as Electors, maintaining separation of powers between legislative and executive branches.
- After caucuses and primaries, parties nominate their presidential and vice-presidential candidates at national conventions held in summer before elections.
Election Process
- Candidates’ names are submitted to State officials to appear on the general election ballot.
- On Election Day, the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November, voters cast ballots for the Electors representing their preferred presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
- Most States use a winner-takes-all system where the party slate with the most votes receives all the Electors, except Maine and Nebraska, which allocate two statewide and the rest by Congressional district.
Electoral Voting
- Electors meet in their State capitals on the Monday after the second Wednesday of December to cast votes—one for president, one for vice president.
- Electors must cast at least one vote for a candidate from outside their home State, although this is rare due to national nominations.
Counting and Certification
- Electoral votes are sealed and sent to the President of the Senate, who opens and reads them in Congress on January 6.
- A candidate needs an absolute majority (one more than half of the total electoral votes) to be declared president; a similar process applies to the vice presidency.
Contingency Procedures
- If no presidential candidate receives an absolute majority, the House of Representatives selects the president from the top three candidates, with each State casting one vote.
- If no vice presidential candidate gets an absolute majority, the Senate selects from the top two candidates.
Inauguration
- The president and vice president are sworn into office at noon on January 20 following the election.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the U.S. Electoral College system and the allocation of electors. This quiz covers how each state chooses its electors based on population and representation in Congress. Learn about the role of political parties and candidates in the electoral process.
