answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The United States uses an indirect method to elect the president. The people choose electors which make up what is known as the electoral college and the electoral college elects the President and the vice-president.

A national election is held to choose the electors from each state and DC. After the election, the electors meet in their respective state capitals and send their votes to the president of the Senate. On a day appointed in December in the presence of both houses of Congress he counts the ballots and announces the result. The candidates for elector are pledged to vote for one of the presidential candidates and often their names do not appear on the ballot. When people mark their ballot for their candidate, they are really voting for an elector that is pledged to that candidate.

After the election, the winning electors gather in their state capital and vote. Some official from the state, usually the secretary of state, certifies their ballot and sends it to vice-president of the US who is also the president of the Senate. After all ballots are received, he will open and count the ballots before a joint session of Congress and announce the results. If one candidate has a majority,which is 270 votes, the winner will be announced, Otherwise, the decision will be delayed until the new House meets in January and they will determine the winner using a special procedure in which each state gets one vote .

http://wiki.answers.com/What_do_you_have_to_do_to_become_president_of_the_US#ixzz1ZOB2w1Wm
The president is elected by country-wide vote

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

Just like the United States Congress and its two houses, the Electoral College is a system that is a compromise that satisfies both large and small states in how their constituents elect the President. Like the congress, the peoples representation in the seat of the President is based on population and on equal representation. The President who is elected must not only receive a significant portion of the "popular" vote but must also have widespread support.

Voters cast a ballot for President in November every 4 years. The candidate with the most votes in each of the 50 states wins that states "delegates". Each states number of delegates is based on it's population with a minimum of 3 delegates from each state. The candidate who receives 270 or more delegates nationally wins the office of the Presidency.

This Electoral System not only makes sure that the President elected receives both popular and widespread support, but also that the candidate campaigns nationally. This system doesn't allow a candidate to just campaign in one region of high population because the delegates are dispersed across the country. This system also gives small states a say in the federal election process. Another added benefit is that this system protects the 2 party system. Because the Presidential candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win, a election year made up with many small parties would not be effective in gaining the necessary electoral votes. This ensures that the President and the party elected at least has a significant population of the country that supports them and allows for a certain level of effective governing.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

By the Electoral College

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How is the US President elected?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp