Civic Literacy Practice Test

The President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College, which is outlined in the U.S. Constitution. This unique system was established by the Founding Fathers as a compromise between direct popular voting and election of the president by Congress.

When citizens cast their votes for president in a general election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to support their chosen candidate. Each state has a certain number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress, which is the sum of its Senators (always two) and Representatives in the House, varying by population.

After the general election, these electors meet in their respective state capitals to formally cast their votes for president and vice president. A candidate must receive a majority of the electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538) to secure the presidency. This process reflects the federal nature of the United States, balancing the influence of populous states with that of smaller states, as every state, regardless of population, has a minimum of three electoral votes.

This system has been pivotal in shaping presidential elections and remains in effect today, influencing the way campaigns are run and how candidates focus their efforts across different states.