So, you wanted to know how the head of the world's most powerful nation is chosen, but didn't know who to ask? Here's a quick set of questions, along with answers, that will tell you exactly how.
How are the candidates chosen?
Both the Republican and Democratic parties hold the primaries first, which are run by state governments, to elect their respective Presidential candidate. Candidates will earn delegates from each primary and whoever ends up with the maximum number is the candidate. For example, this time there were a handful of candidates in the running for the Presidential ticket. Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Mitt Romney fought for the magic number of 1,144 delegates, which Romney eventually clinched. Barack Obama didn’t have to go through this because he is the incumbent and a presumptive leader of the Democratic Party.
How is the Presidential election winner determined?
The winner of the elections is not determined by popular vote but on states basis. On election day, the individual voter will choose his presidential candidate. Then, all the votes in the state are counted. The candidate with the most state-wide votes becomes the state’s presidential candidate. This happens across all the 50 states and the District of Columbia of the United States of America make their choice.
Is it really that simple?
No. The states of USA are not equally distributed, population-wise. For example, according to 2006 Census, California has 36 million people and Kansas has 3 million people and the former would automatically have greater influence on the elections. When it comes to a state’s influence, the number of districts matter the most. California has 53 districts and Kansas has four. Thus, the equation is more population = more districts = more influence.
How exactly is the influence measured in terms of votes?
The state’s influence is measured by the number of electors. For example, Kansas has six electors, which is calculated by the number of districts in the state (four) and the number of US senators, which is always two. Thus, California has 55 electors and North Carolina has 15 electors.
How important are the big states for the candidates?
Very important. Here’s why. There are 538 electors and for a majority, a candidate needs at least 270 electors in his kitty and having big states like California (55 electors), New York (29), Illinois (20), Ohio (18), Michigan (16) will always be the quickest route to 270.
What are swing states?
Now, since time immemorial some states have been predominantly Democratic or Republican bastions. But there are a few states that have always vacillated every four years. So, during their presidential campaigns, both the candidates try their best to woo these states the most. For example, what really boosted Obama’s number in 2008 was the support he got from Virginia, North Carolina— both longtime Republican states.
Poll pundits say that whoever manages to attract Florida, Virginia, Ohio this time around can safely lay claim to the White House for the next four years.
