How the Electoral College Works
By Phyllis Naegeli
1 Under the Electoral College, voters in a presidential election choose electors. Each state has electors equal to the number of Senators (two for each state) and Representatives (based on population) they have in Congress. Because Representatives (and thereby some electors) are allotted by population, this is adjusted every ten years when the government takes a census.
2 Political parties choose electors. The major parties usually choose them at conventions. Sometimes party leaders decide who will perform this job. Once they are chosen, political parties submit the names of the electors to each state's election office. Most citizens can become electors; however, those who work for the Federal Government or are members of Congress cannot be electors.
3 The first step in choosing our president is holding primaries and caucuses. Each political party holds these special elections to choose delegates to their conventions. The candidate who receives the most delegates then chooses the vice-presidential running mate. At the convention, the delegates then confirm the individuals who will be the party's candidates for president and vice-president. Once a candidate is officially chosen, the process of campaigning begins.
