STANDARDS
CCSS: 6.SP.A.3.C, MP1, MP3, MP5
TEKS: 6.5.B
The Race to 270
How do the votes from each state add up to elect the next U.S. president?
Why do we have this system?
It’s in the Constitution. The men who wrote the document in 1787 disagreed about how the president should be chosen. Some thought citizens should directly vote. Others worried that many people weren’t educated enough to decide. As a compromise, they came up with the Electoral College.
Why is 270 the magic number?
1/2 x 538 + 1 = 270
It’s one more than half of 538—the total number of people in the Electoral College.
What is the Electoral College?
It’s the group of people who officially elect the U.S. president. Each state sends electors who will make up the Electoral College. In 48 states, the candidate who wins the state’s popular vote gets all of its electoral votes. In Maine and Nebraska, electoral votes can be split across parties.
How many electors does each state get?
Each state has as many electors as it has senators and representatives in Congress. Every state has two senators. The 435 seats in the House of Representatives are assigned proportionally based on each state’s population. California has the most electors: 54. The least populous states and Washington, D.C., each get 3.
Use the map above to answer questions about the Electoral College. Round your answers to the nearest whole number when necessary. Record your work and answers on our answer sheet.
How many electors does Florida have?
How many states have more than 10 electors?
A. What percent of total electors are from New York?
B. What percent of total electors are from Nebraska?
Which state has the second-highest population? How do you know?
What’s the minimum number of states a candidate could win in order to be elected president? What’s one possible combination? Explain how you reached your answer.
MATH TALK
How many electors does your state or district have? What does this tell you about your state’s population?
