The table below shows the popular vote results and electoral vote allocation for the state of Michigan in the 2016 presidential election.
| Candidate (Party) | Percentage of Popular Vote | Number of Electoral Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump (Republican) | ||
| Hillary Clinton (Democratic) | ||
| Gary Johnson (Libertarian) | ||
| Jill Stein (Green) |
Based on the table, which of the following features of the presidential election system is demonstrated by Michigan's allocation of electoral votes?
- AThe proportional allocation of electoral votes based on the national popular vote
- BThe reservation of ballot placement exclusively to candidates from the two major parties under federalism
- The winner-take-all allocation of electoral votes in individual statesAnswer
- DThe constitutional requirement that candidates must win a majority of the state's popular vote to receive electoral votes
Answer
The winner-take-all allocation of electoral votes in individual states
The correct answer is correct because Michigan, like the vast majority of U.S. states, uses a winner-take-all system for its electoral votes. Under this system, the candidate who wins a plurality of the popular vote in the state ( for Donald Trump in this instance) receives all of the state's electoral votes (), leaving the other candidates with zero electoral votes despite their popular vote shares.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Winner-take-all electoral system and its impact on candidate outcomes
Estimated Time:45s