California's 54 Votes: Electoral College Breakdown

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Post on Nov 06, 2024

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California's 54 Votes: A Breakdown of the Electoral College

You might have heard about the Electoral College, but do you really get it? Especially with all the talk about how California's huge population gets kinda shortchanged in the whole presidential election thing. Let's break down how it works, using California as our example.

What's the Big Deal with California?

California's got the most people out of any state in the US - over 39 million! This means it's super important when it comes to the national elections. But here's the thing - the Electoral College doesn't just give each state votes based on its population.

The Electoral College: A System of States

Instead, each state gets a certain number of "electoral votes" based on its population and the number of senators (which is always two). California gets 55 electoral votes: 53 for its population and 2 because it has two senators. So, the total number of electoral votes a state gets is a mix of population and the fact that every state gets two senators.

Why Does This Matter?

The thing is, the candidate who wins the most popular votes in a state gets ALL of that state's electoral votes. So, even if a candidate only wins by a small margin, they still take home all those votes. This is where it gets kinda weird for California.

California's Electoral Votes: A Case Study

California is considered a "blue" state, meaning Democrats usually win here. They always win here! This means that the Democratic candidate almost always wins all 55 electoral votes. It's like, "Okay, California, you're already in the bag, so we're moving on."

The Impact on Presidential Campaigns

This system means that California doesn't get as much attention from presidential candidates as states that are considered "swing states" - states where the outcome is more up in the air. Swing states get a ton of attention and money from campaigns because they could really decide the election. California, on the other hand, kinda gets ignored, even with its massive population.

What Can We Do?

The Electoral College has been a hot topic for a while, with many people arguing for reform. Some say we should just use the popular vote, where the candidate who wins the most votes nationwide wins the presidency. Others want to change the way states are allocated electoral votes, maybe based on districts instead of just a winner-take-all system. But for now, the Electoral College stays, and California keeps its 54 votes, always going to the Democratic candidate.