U.S. Citizenship Civics TestSystem of GovernmentHard
A civics test applicant is asked about the process for presidential elections. What is the minimum number of electoral votes a presidential candidate must receive to win the election?
- A270
- B435
- C538
- D100
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 270
The total number of electoral votes is 538 (435 for the House + 100 for the Senate + 3 for Washington D.C.). A presidential candidate needs a simple majority of these votes to win, which is 270 (538 / 2 + 1).
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 435 is the number of voting members in the House of Representatives, not electoral votes needed to win.
- C. 538 is the total number of electoral votes available, but not the number needed to win.
- D. 100 is the number of U.S. Senators, not electoral votes needed to win.
Electoral College Majority
To win the U.S. presidential election, a candidate must secure a simple majority of the total electoral votes, which currently stands at 270.
- Total electoral votes: 538.
- Majority = 270 votes.
- Each state's votes based on its total members in Congress plus 3 for D.C.
Memory trick: To win, you need 'Two Seventy' to be President.