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Difficulty: EasyPresidential Nominations and the Electoral College

Which of the following explains how the total number of electoral votes allocated to each state is determined?

  1. A
    The percentage of the state's registered voters who cast a ballot in the previous presidential election
  2. B
    The total number of state legislative districts established by the state's constitution
  3. The combined number of senators and representatives that the state has in the United States CongressAnswer
  4. D
    The proportion of national popular votes that the state's winning candidate receives in the general election

Answer

The combined number of senators and representatives that the state has in the United States Congress
The correct option is correct because Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution establishes that each state's number of electors is determined by adding its two senators to its number of representatives in the House of Representatives.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the constitutional basis for determining a state's electors.
Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution states that each state shall appoint a number of electors equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress.
This establishes the formula for calculating each state's Electoral College representation.
2
Calculate the sum for any given state.
Every state has exactly 22 senators, and a variable number of representatives in the House of Representatives based on its population.
The sum of these two federal offices determines the state's total number of electors.

Key Concept

The total number of electors for each state in the Electoral College is equal to the state's total representation in the United States Congress (two senators plus its members in the House of Representatives).
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Topics

Presidential Nominations and the Electoral College

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