by Koral Bridges
The Electoral College is a unique and often debated element of the American political system, playing a crucial role in the election of the President of the United States. This quiz will take you through the intricacies of its design, history, and function. Dive into these questions to see how much you know about this pivotal institution. Good luck and have fun!
We recommend that you do not leave the page that you are taking this quiz in. Stay honest 🙂
Electoral College Quiz Questions Overview
1. What is the total number of electoral votes available in a U.S. presidential election?
435
538
270
600
2. How many electoral votes are required to win the U.S. presidency?
270
300
250
538
3. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution established the Electoral College?
12th Amendment
14th Amendment
1st Amendment
None, it was part of the original Constitution
4. Which state has the most electoral votes?
Texas
Florida
California
New York
5. How are electoral votes allocated among the states?
Equally among all states
Based on state population
Each state gets two votes
Each state gets one vote
6. What happens if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes?
A new election is held
The Senate chooses the President
The House of Representatives chooses the President
The Supreme Court decides
7. Which U.S. presidential election was decided by the House of Representatives?
1800
1824
1876
2000
8. Which two states do not use a winner-takes-all method for allocating their electoral votes?
California and Texas
New York and Florida
Maine and Nebraska
Ohio and Pennsylvania
9. In what year was the 12th Amendment, which refined the Electoral College process, ratified?
1789
1804
1865
1920
10. How often does the U.S. conduct a census, which affects the allocation of electoral votes?
Every 5 years
Every 10 years
Every 20 years
Every 25 years
11. Which body certifies the results of the Electoral College vote?
The Supreme Court
The Senate
The House of Representatives
Congress
12. Who are the members of the Electoral College?
Senators
Representatives
Electors
Supreme Court Justices
13. Which state has the fewest electoral votes?
Alaska
Delaware
Wyoming
Vermont
14. What is a ‘faithless elector’?
An elector who abstains from voting
An elector who votes for a third-party candidate
An elector who does not vote for their party’s candidate
An elector who votes twice
15. Which U.S. presidential election saw the highest number of faithless electors?
2000
2008
2016
2020
16. What is the primary purpose of the Electoral College?
To ensure a direct popular vote
To balance power between large and small states
To give more power to Congress
To simplify the election process
17. When do electors cast their votes for President and Vice President?
The first Monday in November
The first Tuesday in November
The first Monday after the second Wednesday in December
The first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December
18. Which U.S. territory has electoral votes in presidential elections?
Puerto Rico
Guam
American Samoa
None
19. What is the ‘winner-takes-all’ method in the Electoral College?
The candidate with the most popular votes nationwide wins all electoral votes
The candidate with the most popular votes in a state wins all of that state’s electoral votes
The candidate with the most electoral votes wins all popular votes
The candidate with the most electoral votes wins all states
We recommend that you do not leave the page that you are taking this quiz in. Stay honest 🙂
