How the Electoral College works

Each state has a number of electors equal to its two U.S. senators and its number of U.S. representatives, which is based on the state's population. There were 538 electoral votes in this recent election.

The political parties or independent candidates in each state submit to the state's chief election official a list of individuals pledged to their candidate. These potential electors cannot be members of Congress or high-ranking federal employees.

On Election Day, voters actually cast their ballots for the state of electors nominated for each candidate. The party that wins the most popular votes in each state wins all the candidates electors.

On the Monday following the second Wednesday in December, the electors meet their state capitals and cast their votes – one for president and one for vice president. That's Dec. 19 this year. There is no federal law that requires the elector to vote according to their pledge to their party.

The electoral votes are than sealed and transmitted to the president of the U.S. Senate.

On Jan. 6, the votes are opened and read before both houses of Congress. The candidate with the absolute majority – 270 votes – is declared the winner. FOR PRESIDENT: The House of Representatives selects the president from among the top three vote-getters. Each state delegation casts only one vote. A majority of 26 state delegation votes is needed to elect the president. FOR VICE PRESIDENT: The U.S. Senate selects the winner from among the top two contenders.

The duly elected president and vice president are sworn in at noon on Jan. 20.