Clear as mud

The United States’ method of choosing its president by a combination of popularity and state-by-state preference is called the Electoral College.

Each state is allocated a certain number of Electoral College votes based on its population, and the winner of the popular vote in each state receives all of that state’s votes in the Electoral College.

Much of the Electoral College’s rules and procedures are based on tradition, rather than being clearly defined by statute: But essentially, if a candidate fails to win a majority – or 270 of the total 538 votes - the winner is chosen by the House of Representatives.

In 2000, candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore nearly had a tie, with Bush winning 271-267.

Had they tied, each state’s delegation can pick from the three leading vote-getters, but has to decide which candidate to vote for as a block. The candidate carrying the most states is the winner.

In 1824, Andrew Jackson won a plurality in both the popular vote and the Electoral College, but not a majority.

The House chose second-place John Quincy Adams as President.

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