Who officially elects the President of the United States?

The President of the United States is officially elected by the Electoral College, which is established by the Constitution. This process involves voters in each state casting their ballots for electors pledged to vote for a particular presidential candidate. These electors then officially cast their votes for president, and the candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538) is declared the winner.

The Electoral College serves as an intermediary step between the popular vote and the final election of the president, reflecting the federal character of the U.S. political system. While the general public participates in the election through their votes for electors, the final selection of the president occurs at the level of the Electoral College.

Understanding this structure is crucial, as it highlights the unique aspect of U.S. presidential elections where not all votes translate directly into immediate outcomes without this intermediary process.