Question

Explain how the popular and electoral college votes decide the presidency

Answer 1

1. Each state is allowed a certain number of electors equal to the number of its senators and representatives combined. Political parties submit a slate of electors (electoral college) pledged to vote for the candidate of that party. The candidate who wins the vote in a state wins all that state's electoral votes, regardless of the popular vote.
2. The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review; it can interpret the Constitution. In original jurisdiction cases, the Supreme Court hears cases that haven't been tried by lower courts. Most often the Court hears appeals to previously tried or disputed cases. This is appellate jurisdiction.

Answer 2

Popular vote is the vote of the citizens. It is basically the direct vote that the candidate receives from the masses. In the U.S however, the Electoral College (made up of 538 electors) is what is used to elect Presidents. So it is possible to win the popular vote, and still lose the presidential election (If the person does not win at the Electoral College).

However, when the masses cast popular vote, the vote goes to the electoral college, and most times, the members of the electoral college reflect the popular vote in their state.