In 2016, Donald Trump won with 63 million votes against Hillary Clinton with 66 million.
The system is a hangover from 18th-century delegate democracy and also, crucially, from the origin of the US as a federation of states that jealously guarded their rights. Because states’ rights are involved – particularly the right of smaller states to greater representation – the system is unlikely ever to be changed.
What is the electoral college?
US presidents are chosen by an electoral college, which in the old days was an actual meeting of delegates from each state. So when Americans vote in presidential elections, they are not voting for their candidates, but to instruct an elector to vote for their candidates for president and vice-president.
Each state has the same number of electors as they have members of Congress: that is, two senators and a number of members of the House of Representatives allocated according to population (as recorded in the 2020 census).
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Stop buying clothes now!
As fashion campaigners demand 'degrowth' for an industry responsible for 10 per cent of global pollution, Helen Coffey talks to designers and activists about how, with 100 billion garments made every year, we risk shopping till we drop
The inspiration at heart of Slot and Guardiola's rivalry
Liverpool and Man City bosses set to meet for the first time
Has Bethell's Test cricket baptism come too soon?
Jacob Bethell, 21, has been thrust into England side based on potential. Could the risk backfire, asks Cameron Ponsonby
Resurgent Arsenal thrash Hammers in giddy goal fest
Arsenal plundered another hatful of goals at West Ham as they climbed up to second in the Premier League with a frenetic 5-2 victory.
Defensive Lionesses cancel USA in tactical stalemate
Another night of learning for England and Sarina Wiegman, even if the only fireworks produced from the visit of Emma Hayes and the United States were those in the pre-match light show at Wembley.
Grandmother lost savings and her business after being wrongly charged with fraud
Krista Brown receives 'unreserved' apology after seven-year ordeal at hands of Crown Prosecution Service and HMRC
Indian women are being 'controlled' by forest drones
Researchers say wildlife cameras are used to harass them
Rebels seize control of Aleppo in blow to Assad
Thousands of opposition forces took control of Syria’s second city Aleppo and its airport in a shock assault that marked their largest advance and the biggest challenge facing Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in years.
Ukraine could use a Trump peace deal to buy some time
After Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine, Western leaders repeated constantly that they would stand behind Kyiv \"as long as it takes\", first as Ukraine struck back, then as Russia counterattacked.
Zelensky's plan for peace a 'major concession' to Putin
UK's former ambassador to Russia praises Ukraine president
