Here's how many electoral votes each US state gets
2.3 million people in WA have voted in 2024 election
78 million Americans have voted in the 2024 election. From that total, 2.3 million are from Washington state.
As Election Day approaches in the United States, the Electoral College remains a topic of discussion and debate among 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 whole process works, keep reading as we break down the workings of the Electoral College and the number of votes each state contributes to the process.
What is the Electoral College?
The Electoral College is composed of 538 electors, a number that parallels the total voting membership of the United States Congress: 435 Representatives, 100 Senators, and three electors for the District of Columbia as granted by the 23rd Amendment.
To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of these electoral votes, which currently stands at 270.
How many electoral votes does each state get?
Each state's allotment of electoral votes corresponds to its congressional delegation, which is the sum of its senators (always two per state) and its representatives (based on the state's population). The District of Columbia, despite having no voting representation in Congress, has three electoral votes.
The distribution of electoral votes is adjusted every 10 years following the national census, which can lead to shifts in political power among states due to population changes. This process, known as redistricting or reapportionment, 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 displayed at an event at Lulu Bar on November 04, 2020 in Wellington, New Zealand hosted by the United States Embassy and the NZ U.S Council to watch the results of the 2020 U.S election come through. A (Lynn Grieveson - Newsroom/Newsroom via Getty Images)
When does the Electoral College vote take place?
The Electoral College vote typically takes place in December following the November general election. The electors meet in their respective state capitals to cast their votes, which are then sent to the President of the Senate, who officially tallies them.
It is important to note that most states adopt a "winner-takes-all" approach, awarding all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. Maine and Nebraska, however, allocate their votes using a proportional system based on congressional district results.
Controversy often surrounds the Electoral College, with critics arguing that it can lead to a situation where a candidate wins the national popular vote but loses the election. Defenders maintain that the system protects the interests of smaller states and prevents a concentration of power in more populous urban areas.
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