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The popular vote and the electoral vote are two completely different things. The presidency is decided solely on who wins the electoral vote, and the popular vote is only good for giving us an idea of who is going to win the presidency.

The larger the state the more votes they have in the electoral college, so if a president can win the majority of the large states electoral votes and a few smaller states they can gain the majority they need to win the presidency. In fact, if a president only needs to win the votes for the 11 largest states and they can win the presidency without a vote from the other 39 states.

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How does popular vote relate to electoral votes?

It is possible that a candidate could win the "national" popular vote total but lose the electoral vote total. However, the electoral vote of every state accurately reflects the popular vote within that state. A candidate could win the electoral votes in a large state such as California winning the state by a huge margin. However, the opposing candidate could win the electoral votes in other states because a majority of the voters in those states vote for the opposing candidate.


How do electoral votes determined the president?

The candidate who receives the most electoral votes wins the presidency. It is possible to lose the popular vote but win the electoral vote to be elected president.


Will candidate with most popular votes win office of the president?

It is possible that a candidate could win the "national" popular vote total but lose the electoral vote total. However, the electoral vote of every state accurately reflects the popular vote within that state. A candidate could win the electoral votes in a large state such as California winning the state by a huge margin. However, the opposing candidate could win the electoral votes in other states because a majority of the voters in those states vote for the opposing candidate.


How can a candidate win the popular vote but lose the election?

A candidate can win the popular vote but lose the election if they receive more votes from the general public but fewer electoral votes from the Electoral College. The Electoral College system in the United States determines the winner of the presidential election based on the number of electoral votes each candidate receives, rather than the total number of popular votes nationwide.


How can someone win by electoral votes and not by popularity vote?

It is possible that a candidate could win the "national" popular vote total but lose the electoral vote total. However, the electoral vote of every state accurately reflects the popular vote within that state. A candidate could win the electoral votes in a large state such as California winning the state by a huge margin. However, the opposing candidate could win the electoral votes in other states because a majority of the voters in those states vote for the opposing candidate.


Can someone win the general election but lose the electoral votes?

It is possible that a candidate could win the "national" popular vote total but lose the electoral vote total. However, the electoral vote of every state accurately reflects the popular vote within that state. A candidate could win the electoral votes in a large state such as California winning the state by a huge margin. However, the opposing candidate could win the electoral votes in other states because a majority of the voters in those states vote for the opposing candidate.


How can candidates receive more votes in the popular vote but lose the election?

It is possible that a candidate could win the "national" popular vote total but lose the electoral vote total. However, the electoral vote of every state accurately reflects the popular vote within that state. A candidate could win the electoral votes in a large state such as California winning the state by a huge margin. However, the opposing candidate could win the electoral votes in other states because a majority of the voters in those states vote for the opposing candidate.


How is it possible for the electoral vote to produce a different result from the popular vote?

That happens because the electoral votes are not given in the same proportions as the popular votes received. Virtually every state uses the "winner-takes-all" method of appointing electors. If, for example, 48% of a state's popular votes are cast in favor of Candidate A, 47% support Candidate B, and 5% support Candidate C, Candidate A gets 100% of that state's electoral votes and Candidates B & C don't get any.The Electoral College casts the electoral votes. It is comprised of representatives of each state. While the popular vote is held to have an impact on the Electoral College's decisions on who to vote for, it is not illegal for the Electoral College to vote another way. In addition, not every state has the same amount of electoral votes. It is possible for more people total to vote for a president, but since they are so spread throughout the states, the Electoral Votes may end in another way.


Candidate who lost electoral vote and total popular vote but was chosen by the house?

That person was John Quincy Adams who was chosen as president in 1824 by the House of Representatives since no candidate received a majority of the electoral vote. Jackson actually won more popular votes and more electoral votes than did Adams.


Who do the people vote for to in turn cast the votes for a presidential candidate?

Electoral votes in the Electoral College determine the President of the United States. The electors are elected by popular vote in each state and each candidate for elector swears in advance whom he will vote for.


How does Minnesota decide how many electoral votes each candidate will get?

All ten of Minnesota's electoral votes go to the Presidential candidate with the most popular votes in the state and his running mate.


How is the total of 538 Electoral College votes determined What is the purpose of the popular vote in the Electoral College system?

The electoral vote of every state accurately reflects the popular vote within that state. Therefore, every elector in the Electoral College is expected to cast the electoral vote for the candidate who won the popular vote in that elector's state.