The US presidential election was one of the most anticipated political events globally, with millions of voters casting ballots to decide the nation’s future leader. At the heart of this process was the Electoral College, a unique system that translates popular votes into electoral votes, determining who wins the presidency. With the 2024 election underway, understanding the significance of electoral votes is crucial. Each state contributes a set number of electoral votes, and the candidate who reaches 270 out of 538 total votes wins the presidency. Let's dive into the 2024 election details, the role of the Electoral College, and the ongoing results.
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What is the Electoral College and How Does It Work?
The Electoral College is a foundational aspect of the US electoral system, designed to balance the influence of each state in presidential elections. Here’s how it works:
- 538 Electoral Votes: The Electoral College consists of 538 votes, corresponding to the 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 100 Senate seats, and three additional votes for the District of Columbia.
- 270 to Win: A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to secure the presidency. This majority ensures that the winning candidate has support from a broad range of states.
- State Contributions: Each state’s electoral votes are based on population, with larger states like California and Texas contributing more votes.
- Unique Allocation in Maine and Nebraska: Unlike most states, which use a “winner-takes-all” approach, Maine and Nebraska allocate their electoral votes proportionally, allowing for a split of votes between candidates. This feature makes these states particularly interesting in tight elections.
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State-by-State Breakdown of Electoral Votes
Here's a look at how many electoral votes each state contributes. The allocation of electoral votes was last adjusted based on the 2020 Census results, affecting states like Texas, which gained two votes, and New York, which lost one.
Total Electoral Votes: 538 Majority Needed to Elect: 270*
| Alabama - 9 votes | Kentucky - 8 votes | North Dakota - 3 votes |
| Alaska - 3 votes | Louisiana - 8 votes | Ohio - 17 votes |
| Arizona - 11 votes | Maine - 4 votes | Oklahoma - 7 votes |
| Arkansas - 6 votes | Maryland - 10 votes | Oregon - 8 votes |
| California - 54 votes | Massachusetts - 11 votes | Pennsylvania - 19 votes |
| Colorado - 10 votes | Michigan - 15 votes | Rhode Island - 4 votes |
| Connecticut - 7 votes | Minnesota - 10 votes | South Carolina - 9 votes |
| Delaware - 3 votes | Mississippi - 6 votes | South Dakota - 3 votes |
| District of Columbia - 3 votes | Missouri - 10 votes | Tennessee - 11 votes |
| Florida - 30 votes | Montana - 4 votes | Texas - 40 votes |
| Georgia - 16 votes | Nebraska - 5 votes | Utah - 6 votes |
| Hawaii - 4 votes | Nevada - 6 votes | Vermont - 3 votes |
| Idaho - 4 votes | New Hampshire - 4 votes | Virginia - 13 votes |
| Illinois - 19 votes | New Jersey - 14 votes | Washington - 12 votes |
| Indiana - 11 votes | New Mexico - 5 votes | West Virginia - 4 votes |
| Iowa - 6 votes | New York - 28 votes | Wisconsin - 10 votes |
| Kansas - 6 votes | North Carolina - 16 votes | Wyoming - 3 votes |
These changes reflect population shifts and can influence the strategies of candidates as they prioritize certain states to secure the majority of electoral votes.
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Key Battleground States and Their Impact on the Election
Donald Trump won the majority of the electoral college votes, defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. After Joe Biden exited the race in July, Harris saw early Democratic polling gains, but the election remained very close as it progressed. Ultimately, Republicans gained significant support, flipping back 90% of counties that had leaned Democratic in 2020. Key swing states Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia contributed to Trump’s victory, though races in Nevada and Arizona remain undeclared. No swing state had yet been called for the Democrats.
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2024 Election Results Summary: Who Won and Electoral Totals
Early reports reveal close races in key states as the votes are counted. According to recent updates:
- Donald Trump currently leads with 295 electoral votes.
- Kamala Harris followed with 226 electoral votes.
As results from high-stakes states came in, projections shifted.
| Candidate | States Won | Key Points |
| Donald Trump | Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming, Wisconsin | Trump’s victories in key swing states like Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin led to his electoral win. He also dominated in traditionally Republican states across the South and Midwest. |
| Kamala Harris | California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington | Harris retained traditionally Democratic states, including California and New York, and performed well in urban and progressive areas. |
Donald Trump won the second no-consecutive term and became the first president to do so.
Breakdown of Senate and House Results in 2024
In addition to the presidential race, the 2024 election includes crucial Senate and House races, impacting the balance of power in Congress.
Senate:
The race for control of the Senate remains close, with significant gains reported by both parties. The Republics lead by 53, while as the Democrats are at 46
House
Early results indicate a highly competitive race in several districts, with certain candidates already making history, like Sarah McBride, who became the first openly transgender person elected to the US Congress. Republicans are at 212 while the Democrats are at 200.
These results will shape the legislative landscape, affecting the new president’s ability to pass key policies.
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How the Electoral College Votes Determine the Presidential Winner
The process of securing the presidency centres around achieving 270 electoral votes. Here’s why certain states play a decisive role:
Pennsylvania and Michigan: As swing states with large numbers of electoral votes, Pennsylvania and Michigan are often pivotal in presidential elections. Winning these states can provide a significant boost toward the 270-vote mark.
Small but Strategic States: While smaller states contribute fewer votes, winning a majority of them can still influence the outcome, especially in a close race.
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