How to become the President of the US

Have you ever wondered how the US President wins the election?

Accessibility icon How to become the President of the US

Becoming President

In the US, there’s a process every four years to elect the President. It is different from other countries.

People do not vote for the President directly. They vote in their state for a preferred candidate. The candidate with the most votes in a state is usually supported by that state.

Flag waves at Washington Mall near the capital
Flag waves at Washington Mall near the capital

The electoral votes

Each state has something called electoral votes. The bigger the state, the more votes it has. When all people have voted, the state decides which candidate gets its electoral votes. All these votes from all the states are then counted.

The United States Capitol building at sunset, Washington DC, USA.
The United States Capitol building at sunset, Washington DC, USA.

Federal principles

A candidate needs more than half of the total electoral votes to win. The first candidate to get the required number of votes becomes the President.

This process makes sure that every state, big or small, has an important role in choosing the President.

White House, under dramatic sky, sunset golden light, Washington DC
White House, under dramatic sky, sunset golden light, Washington DC

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    • Getty Images
    • Getty Images