During a presidential election, a candidate wins 51\% of the popular vote in a state that … — AP US Government and Politics

During a presidential election, a candidate wins $51\%$ of the popular vote in a state that has $20$ electoral votes. Under the winner-take-all system used by most states, how many of that state's electoral votes will the candidate receive?

A
Only $10$ of the state's electoral votes, representing a proportional split
B
Only $11$ of the state's electoral votes, corresponding to the percentage of the popular vote won
All $20$ of the state's electoral votesAnswer
D
None of the state's electoral votes, because the candidate did not win a supermajority of the popular vote

Answer

All

20

of the state's electoral votes

Under the winner-take-all system used by forty-eight states and Washington, D.C., the presidential candidate who wins a plurality of the popular vote in a state is awarded all of that state's electoral votes. Since the candidate won

51\%

of the popular vote, they secured a majority, meaning they receive all

20

of the state's electoral votes.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the method of electoral vote allocation described in the scenario.

The state uses a winner-take-all system.

Most states in the United States use this system to allocate their presidential electors.

Apply the definition of a winner-take-all system to the candidate's popular vote share.

The candidate who wins a plurality of the popular vote in the state receives all of that state's electoral votes.

Under the winner-take-all system, there is no proportional division; the winner of the popular vote gets

100\%

of the state's electoral votes.

Calculate the number of electoral votes the candidate receives.

The candidate receives all

20

electoral votes.

Since the candidate won

51\%

of the popular vote, they won the plurality/majority, thereby earning all of the state's

20

electoral votes.

Key Concept

Presidential Nominations and the Electoral College

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