How many electoral votes does each US state get?

2.3 million people in WA voted in the 2024 election

78 million Americans voted in the 2024 election. Of those, 2.3 million come from Washington state.

As Election Day approaches in the United States, the Electoral College remains a topic of discussion and debate for many voters.

This system, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, determines the method by which the country elects its president and vice president.

If you’re still curious about how this entire process works, read on as we break down how the Electoral College works and the number of votes each state contributes to the process.

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, a number equal to the total number of voting members of the U.S. Congress: 435 representatives, 100 senators, and three electors for the District of Columbia, as established by the 23rd Amendment.

To win the presidency, a candidate must receive a majority of those electoral votes, which currently stands at 270.

How many electoral votes does each state get?

Each state’s distribution of electoral votes corresponds to its congressional delegation, which is determined by the sum of its senators (always two per state) and its representatives (based on the state’s population). Although the District of Columbia has no voting representation in Congress, it does have three electoral votes.

The distribution of electoral votes is adjusted every ten years after the census, which can lead to shifts in political power between states due to population changes. This process, called redistricting or redistricting, ensures that the Electoral College reflects the demographic makeup of the nation.

Electoral votes by state

Alabama – 9 votes

Kentucky – 8 votes

North Dakota – 3 votes

Alaska – 3 votes

Louisiana – 8 votes

Ohio – 17 votes

Arizona – 11 votes

Maine – 4 votes

Oklahoma – 7 votes

Arkansas – 6 votes

Maryland – 10 votes

Oregon – 8 votes

California – 54 votes

Massachusetts – 11 votes

Pennsylvania – 19 votes

Colorado – 10 votes

Michigan – 15 votes

Rhode Island – 4 votes

Connecticut – 7 votes

Minnesota – 10 votes

South Carolina – 9 votes

Delaware – 3 votes

Mississippi – 6 votes

South Dakota – 3 votes

District of Columbia – 3 votes

Missouri – 10 votes

Tennessee – 11 votes

Florida – 30 votes

Montana – 4 votes

Texas – 40 votes

Georgia – 16 votes

Nebraska – 5 votes

Utah – 6 votes

Hawaii – 4 votes

Nevada – 6 votes

Vermont – 3 votes

Idaho – 4 votes

New Hampshire – 4 votes

Virginia – 13 votes

Illinois – 19 votes

New Jersey – 14 votes

Washington – 12 votes

Indiana – 11 votes

New Mexico – 5 votes

West Virginia – 4 votes

Iowa – 6 votes

New York – 28 votes

Wisconsin – 10 votes

Kansas – 6 votes

North Carolina – 16 votes

Wyoming – 3 votes

Two young men look at the Electoral College map on display at an event hosted by the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Council of New Zealand to celebrate the announcement at Lulu Bar on November 4, 2020 in Wellington, New Zealand the results of the 2020 US elections. A (Lynn Grieveson – Newsroom/Newsroom via Getty Images)

When does the Electoral College vote take place?

Electoral College voting typically takes place in December after the November general election. Voters meet in their respective state capitals to cast their votes, which are then forwarded to the President of the Senate, who officially counts them.

It is important to note that most states adopt a winner-take-all approach, in which all electoral votes are awarded to the candidate who receives a majority of the vote in that state. However, Maine and Nebraska allocate their votes using a proportional system based on congressional district results.

The Electoral College is often controversial, with critics arguing that it can result in a candidate winning the statewide popular vote but losing the election. Proponents claim the system protects the interests of smaller states and prevents concentration of power in more populous urban areas.

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