Question

What is a popular vote and electoral vote? I just need help on understanding what it means. Thank you!! (:

Answer 1

In general or presidential election? A popular vote is the majority of the people, any voter's vote. The electoral votes are cast by the "electoral college" and are the deciding factors.

Answer 2

In simple terms, the popular vote is a the majority of the people, like Alexa said. It a direct vote from citizens. The electoral vote is made by the electoral college. It is the vote of elected representatives. It ultimately decides the outcome of a (presidential) election.

This is a great example of what makes the U.S. a republic and not a democracy. The electoral college is very debated though. Many want a direct vote instead of a small group of people representing a whole state (democracy) but the electoral college also aims to represent all parts of the country equally. This would not happen without the system because around 80% of Americans are concentrated into urban area.

Hopefully this helped a bit! :D

Answer 3

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong about any of this... I'm no genius

Answer 4

A majority vote would be a plurality. It is not required for most offices it the United States. That means a candidate who has 46% of the popular vote would win over one with 45%. Nether received a majority, or plurality.
The Electoral College was set up by the Founders as a limit. Each state receives one vote in the EC for each legislator it sends to congress. So California gets 55 votes because it has 2 senators and 53 members of the house. North Dakota gets 3 for its two senators and one member of the house.
The idea is to check the power of the national government with state power. Some time in December, the electors will meet in State Capitols throughout the country to cast ballots for the president. The electors are chosen in different ways in each state. Usually the electors vote the way the people of the state did. But there have been times when electors have chosen to dissent from the people's instructions.

The reality is that presidential candidates concentrate their campaigns in states they have a chance of winning. No candidate spends much time in California this year, except to raise money, because it is heavily Democrat. Hillary will get all 55 EC votes. Similarly, many other states are going to go Republican or Democrat. Campaigns concentrate on the states where it is close.
If you live in Ohio, you're seeing lots of campaign signs, TV, Radio and internet ads and rallies for both candidates. The states that are close are called swing states. That's where the election is decided.

You may have heard news organizations talk about red and blue states. That's shorthand. Red means Republican, blue means Democrat. The colors used to be switched. It's just a culture thing, nothing official.

Answer 5

That was great. ^

Swing states are very important. In states that are predominately red or blue without question in every election, it's a waste of money to campaign in those states because they've already made their decision pretty much. Think California and Texas.