Final answer:
California is awarded 55 Electoral College votes, which is the highest number allocated to any state, reflecting its large population as determined by the U.S. Census.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of Electoral College votes awarded to California is 55. This number is based on California's number of representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives plus its two Senators. The number of House representatives is determined by state population as recorded by the U.S. Census, which is conducted every ten years. Following the 2020 census, California continues to have the highest number of electoral votes due to its large population. It's important to note that this system allows for a situation where a presidential candidate can win the popular vote and still lose the Electoral College vote, as happened in the 2000 and 2016 elections.