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The U.S. President is elected not by direct popular vote but through the Electoral College system.
Each state has a set number of electors based on its representation in Congress - total 538 electors nationwide.
Voters in each state cast their ballots for a presidential candidate. The candidate who wins the popular vote in a state usually takes all of that state's electoral votes.
Each state has its own voting agencies that handle voter registration, ballot distribution, and the overall election process.
Citizens must register to vote in their state before the election, with registration deadlines varying across the country.
Voters can participate in early voting, mail-in voting, or cast their ballots in person on Election Day.
On Election Day, polling places are open across the nation for voters to make their choice for President and other offices.
States begin counting the votes once polling stations close, with preliminary results reported on the same night.
Each state certifies its election results, which includes confirming the slate of electors pledged to the winning candidate.
Emphasize how state-specific rules and procedures can significantly impact the election outcome and the importance of voter participation.
The electors meet in their respective states to cast their votes for President and Vice President, usually in mid-December.
The electoral votes are sent to the President of the Senate, who tallies them in a joint session of Congress in early January.
If no candidate reaches 270 electoral votes, the House of Representatives elects the President, with each state delegation casting one vote.
The candidate who receives a majority of the 538 electoral votes (at least 270) is declared the winner.
The new President is inaugurated on January 20th, marking the start of a new administration.