Electors

Electors are individuals chosen to cast official votes in an electoral system on behalf of a larger electorate. They are typically appointed by political parties or candidates and pledged to support a particular ticket. Voters elect the slate; electors then vote for the offices they were chosen to elect.

In the United States, the Electoral College totals 538 electors (the sum of 100 senators, 435 representatives, and 3 electors for the District of Columbia). Most states award their electors to the ticket that wins the statewide popular vote (winner-take-all); Maine and Nebraska allocate some electors by congressional district. Electors meet in December to cast separate ballots for president and vice president. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to win. If no candidate receives a majority, the House elects the president from the top three candidates, with each state delegation having one vote, while the Senate selects the vice president from the top two candidates.

Electors exist in various systems beyond the United States, often as part of constitutional or ceremonial arrangements. The possibility of faithless electors—those who do not vote as pledged—has raised concerns, though many jurisdictions impose penalties or binding pledges to limit this.

Reform discussions include replacing the Electoral College with a direct popular vote, or enacting the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would direct member states’ electors to reflect the national popular vote when enough states participate.