Just how many people elect the president of the United States? The answer may surprise you.  Consider the 2000 presidential elections. Even though more than 100 million people voted in the election, only a small portion of those votes in fact were decisive. Indeed the results would have been exactly the same even if nearly 80 million of those voters would have stayed home.

Here’s what we mean:

• Total number of votes cast nationwide in Presidential elections:
• 105,396,641 in 2000
• 131,338,626 in 2008
• Total number of votes cast for the winner in their states won:
• 26,353,058 in 30 states for George W. Bush
• 53,363,321 in 29 states (including DC) for Barack Obama
• Minimum number of votes the winner needed in order to win in those same states:
• 21,835,615 in 30 states for George W. Bush
• 39,908,351 in 29 states (including DC) for Barack Obama
• Total number of votes that did not factor in determining the winner of the president in their respective years:
• To win the Electoral College in 2000, Bush needed only 21,835,615 votes out of a total of 105,396,641 votes.
• To win the Electoral College in 2008, Obama needed only 39,908,351 votes out of a total of 131,338,626 votes.
• Percentage of votes that did not factor in determining the winner in their respective years:
• 79.28% in 2000
• 70.39% in 2008

Electoral College Table of Contents


 

October 28th 2004
The electoral college is doing harm to our democracy
South Brunswick Post (NJ)

It is time to find alternatives to the Electoral College and enact reforms such as instant runoff voting and full public financing.

October 24th 2004
Election Reform Also on Ballot
The News Standard (NY)

A proposed amendment in Colorado would allow the state to distribute its electors to the electoral college based on the popular vote outcome.

October 22nd 2004
Electoral College Football
CBS News

The 220-year-old Electoral College may be the bane of Election 2004. If the Electoral College ties in a 269-269 vote, some outlandish scenarios become plausible for the election of our nation's highest leader.

October 20th 2004
A to-do list for the day after Nov. 2
Detroit Free Press

The 2004 Presidential election will leave many people disappointed, and in its wake, three key reforms should be purused: electoral college reform, instant runoff voting, and allowing immigrants to serve as President.

October 20th 2004
Loser take all? Our electoral rules demand reform
Knight-Ridder/Tribune

American voting system does not function well due to the antiquated Electoral College and winner-take-all rule.

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