Washington, United States

In 2016, Donald Trump defied polls and all expectations to defeat Hillary Clinton and become the American President. The victory which he described as "beautiful" happened despite Clinton winning nearly three million more votes than the Republicans. But how could that be? How can the candidate who won the second-highest number of votes win and be crowned president? Here's how the complex US electoral system works:

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How did Trump win in 2016?

Donald Trump did what was required: win enough individual states, some with very narrow margins, to surpass the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House.

How does the Electoral College work?

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The US Electoral College is made up of 538 members who gather in their state capitals after each presidential election to designate the winning president and vice president. To win, a candidate must receive an absolute majority—at least 270 electoral votes. 

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If you're wondering who these 538 voters are, the answer is they are mostly local elected officials or party leaders.

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Each state has a number of electors equal to its total representation in Congress, combining its House — the number depends on the states' population and Senate members — two in every state irrespective of the state's size. For example, California has 54 electors, while smaller states like Wyoming have just three. US capital Washington has three electors even though it has no voting members in Congress.

This is why candidates focus heavily on a handful of "swing" states that can make or break the elections for them.

Most states follow a winner-takes-all approach, where the candidate with the most votes in that state gets all its electoral votes. However, Nebraska and Maine allocate some electors by the congressional district, adding complexity to the process.

A controversial system

As the 2024 US elections approach, the question if Trump can achieve his 2016 feat is on many minds. Back then, he won 306 electoral votes, way more than the 270 he needs.

He's not the only one to achieved this. Before him, five presidents, including John Quincy Adams in 1824 and George W. Bush in 2000, have achieved this. Bush's win was particularly contentious. It hinged on a Supreme Court ruling that ultimately awarded him Florida's electoral votes and the presidency, even though he lost the nationwide popular vote by almost 500,000 votes.

Also read | Trump led ‘desperate criminal scheme’ to stay in power, prosecutors reveal new evidence

The role of electors

The Electoral College is often viewed as a formality, as electors are not required by the Constitution to vote according to their state's popular vote. However, in July 2020, the Supreme Court allowed states to impose fines on "faithless electors" who stray from this norm. However, to date, no faithless elector has ever been changed for the outcome of an election.

The 2024 US election schedule

US law states they "meet and cast their vote on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December." This year, electors will gather in state capitals on December 17 and cast their votes.

After that, on January 6, 2025, Congress will convene to certify the winner on Capitol Hill — the scene of the 2020 riots. Certifying the victory by convention is the Vice President. Finally, the winner will be sworn in on January 20.

(With inputs from agencies)