electoral college
Voters choose slates of electors through state elections. This topic is part of U.S. Government within Government & Society. This page currently draws on 6 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
electoral college trivia questions
The U.S. Electoral College is used to formally elect whom?
Answer: President and vice president
Bonus fact: Voters choose slates of electors through state elections.
How many electoral votes are there in the current U.S. Electoral College?
Answer: 538
Bonus fact: The total reflects 535 members of Congress plus three electors for Washington, D.C.
How many electoral votes are normally needed to win the presidency when all 538 electors are appointed?
Answer: 270
Bonus fact: A majority of 538 is 270.
In most U.S. elections, the candidate with the most popular votes wins the office directly. Which major office is an exception because of the Electoral College?
Answer: President
Bonus fact: The presidency is formally decided by electoral votes.
Which amendment governs House selection of a president when no candidate wins an Electoral College majority?
Answer: 12th Amendment
Bonus fact: Under the 12th Amendment, the House chooses among the top presidential electoral vote-getters, with each state delegation casting one vote.
Which candidate became president after the disputed U.S. election of 1824?
Answer: John Quincy Adams
Bonus fact: No candidate won an Electoral College majority, so the House of Representatives chose the president.