Question

In 1964, it was decided that the electoral college would consist of 538 votes. Why do you think they decided on that number? What is the benefit of including the three additional seats from the District of Columbia?

a) To make the total number even
b) To match the number of members in Congress
c) To accommodate the population changes
d) No specific reason

Answer 1

The number of electoral college votes is determined by the total number of representatives and senators a state has in the U.S. Congress. The total number of electors in the electoral college is 538, which includes three additional seats from the District of Columbia. These three seats are included to give the District of Columbia representation in the presidential election.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of electoral college votes is determined by the total number of representatives and senators a state has in the U.S. Congress. Each state is allocated electors based on its population, which is determined by the U.S. Census every ten years. The total number of representatives in Congress has been fixed at 435 since the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929.

Therefore, the number of electors in the electoral college is 538, which includes three additional seats from the District of Columbia. These three seats are included to give the District of Columbia representation in the presidential election, as they would if they were a state.