it isn't by each person

it's by states?

how are states determined to be more valuable and less valuable than others?

in voting

By population. California is the most populated state and has 55 electoral points. Other less populated states bring less points.

so it is by population?

Yes but with one caveat

what is a cavecat

Electoral votes are based on members of congress with each state. Each state has two senators and at least one representative. Every state gets at least 3

DC is also given 3 electoral votes

That's why smaller states have slightly higher electoral votes per capita

so people aren't voting for the president they are voting for a representative which reflects the president?

idfk

Yes

oh ok

In 48 states, it's winner take all

should there not be a odd number of states in case it is even?

i mean

like 50 50

So if Trump wins Texas by 1 vote, he gets all 38 of the electoral votes

https://youtu.be/OUS9mM8Xbbw

This should explain it nicely

this seems like a bad system honestly

imo i personality don't see much a use for the system these days

It is a system which prevents mob rule. That is why they have an electoral vote and a popular vote. If 51% of the people vote for someone, the 49% can still win. It protects the rights of the minority from the mob rule of the majority, that you would otherwise have to deal with in an absolute democracy.

wait how i thought all votes when no matter what

That’s why the United States are a Constitutional Republic, and not a Democracy.

so i have been lied to all this time

I believe the constitution doesn't contain the word democracy lol

So imagine if 51% of Americans lived in California and the other 49% lived in the rest of the country. Would it be fair for California to always pick the candidate, just because they have the most people?

That’s why they have the electoral college.

but state wise people don't get represented

i guess it's good

i mean

idk

so how much power does the president have?

> It is a system which prevents mob rule. That is why they have an electoral vote and a popular vote. If 51% of the people vote for someone, the 49% can still win. It protects the rights of the minority from the mob rule of the majority, that you would otherwise have to deal with in an absolute democracy.
@𝓓. 𝓢. but using the electoral vote couldn't they still have the majority of the states opress the minotrity?

Good question, actually. It’s certainly better than absolute democracy, but that’s a good topic for discussion.

I believe that the majority of the people of course need to have a say, but it also prevents them from ruling over the minority, so I believe it’s a good balance. It gives neither the majority nor the minority absolute power.

can the president do anything they want?

No