On this election day, the first for most of our staff, the executive leadership of The Express dove into the electoral college.
As a brief history lesson, the U.S. president is decided by the electoral college. A total of 538 electoral votes are divided among the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on size. California has the most with 54 electoral votes, followed by Texas (40) and Florida (30). The fewest electoral votes allotted to a state (and D.C.) is three.
The popular vote of each state determines how that states’ electoral votes are cast. So in California, if Kamala Harris wins the popular vote, the state’s 54 electoral college voters will cast for Harris. If Trump wins Florida’s popular votes, the state’s 30 electoral college votes go to Trump.
The lone exceptions are Nebraska (5) and Maine (4), who split their votes. In each of these states, if a district’s popular vote goes against the popular vote of the state, then one electoral vote is awarded.
Jakob Arnarsson, editor-in-chief
Trump and Harris enter Election Day close in the polls in most of the swing states. Ultimately, I have faith in women voters who won’t stand for Trump to represent them as the President and continue the assault on their rights. So I believe Pennsylvania, Nevada and Wisconsin will end up blue. Harris will win the popular vote by more than three million, I believe, but a few thousand votes in these states will decide the election.
As a percentage, how confident are you in your map?
70 percent. Nevada, Iowa, Georgia and Pennsylvania are too much of a toss up to be sure.
Which states do you think will be the most surprising result?
Kansas. Both Iowa and Kansas are right-leaning and will ultimately end red. But the Dems have made headway in both. Kansas could be blue first time since 1964.
Which state do you think will decide this election?
Pennsylvania. It’s the swing state with the most electoral votes up for grabs.
Which state is most likely to flip?
North Carolina. Many progressives relocated to the state for the cheaper cost of living. Could be enough to change the political landscape.
Olivia Fitts, news and opinions editor
There’s no rhyme or reason to my map. It’s purely a gut prediction — I’m not equipped with the political knowledge or psychic abilities needed to make it accurately. I just don’t want to set myself up for disappointment. That’s mostly it. It’s an instance of devil’s advocacy I’m not particularly proud of. But it’ll mean that if Kamala wins, I’ll be all the more ecstatic.
As a percentage, how confident are you in your map?
47%
Which states do you think will be the most surprising result?
Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Which state do you think will decide this election?
Pennsylvania.
Which state is most likely to flip?
Georgia.
Camille Leduc, managing editor
American voters step into the booth this November from different worlds. I am hoping that the general people choose a result that gives us a future. The women, people of color, and lower class voters will ensure Harris’ win in the popular vote.
As a percentage, how confident are you in your map?
68%
Which states do you think will be the most surprising result?
Georgia
Which state do you think will decide this election?
I think Pennsylvania will decide this election
Which state is most likely to flip?
Most likely to flip is Georgia
