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California, the most populous state in the U.S., plays a significant role in presidential elections due to its large number of electoral votes. However, in the 2024 presidential race, the state has one less electoral vote compared to the 2020 election. California electoral votes
California’s Electoral Vote Change
In the 2024 election, California now has 54 electoral votes, a decrease from the 55 electoral votes it had in 2020. This change is due to shifts in the state’s population, as reflected in the results of the 2020 U.S. Census. California, along with six other states, lost an electoral vote as a result of these population shifts.
Why Did California Lose an Electoral Vote?
The loss of one electoral vote in California comes from the method used to allocate electoral votes, which is based on the Method of Equal Proportions. This formula considers the population changes in each state, as determined by the U.S. Census, to adjust how many votes each state has in the Electoral College.
As a result of the census data, California saw a decrease in population growth compared to other states, which led to a reduction in the number of its electoral votes. Other states that experienced a decrease include Illinois, New York, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. On the other hand, states like Texas, Florida, and North Carolina gained additional electoral votes due to population increases.
Related Topic: 2024 us election results
Impact on the 2024 Election
Despite losing one electoral vote, California still remains a crucial state in the presidential race, with its 54 electoral votes still making it one of the largest contributors to a candidate’s electoral vote total. As the Electoral College requires a candidate to secure 270 votes to win the presidency, California’s significant number of electoral votes continues to make it a focal point in the campaign.
In the 2024 election, California is expected to remain a Democratic stronghold, but its reduced number of electoral votes could affect the overall balance of power across the nation. Swing states with closely divided voters, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia, will also play a key role in deciding the next president.
The Electoral College Formula
The Electoral College is made up of 538 total votes, with each state allocated votes based on the number of its U.S. senators and representatives. Every state gets at least three electoral votes (one for each senator and one for a representative), and the District of Columbia also has three votes.
A majority of 270 electoral votes is needed to win the presidency, and the outcome in battleground states such as California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida will be critical in determining who takes the White House.
