Nearly 2.9 million more people voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, but she still lost. President Donald Trump won because he took the Electoral College, under a system set up in the U.S. Constitution and refined through the centuries.
This is where the magic number comes into play. To win the White House, a candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes. That’s a majority of the 538 that are up for grabs in the 50 states.
Each state is allotted a different number of electoral votes, based on how many representatives it has in the House, plus its two senators.
Need some help sorting this out? Well, there's even more to consider to figure out who wins -- and when. Here are some key issues, some history, and some clear answers to help you navigate this Election Week.
