The presidents have two section votes, the popular vote and the electoral college votes. All in all, the popular vote doesn’t matter. The presidential candidate has to receive the majority of the votes. NOT the MOST. Most and majority is not the same thing. Majority is half plus one. The United States has a total of 538 electors. So you divide 538 by two then add one. The answer is 270. If none of the candidates reach this number, the vote goes to the House of Representatives. It isn’t until then the president is elected.