There are 538 electoral votes in the U.S. Electoral College, and a candidate needs at least 270 to win the presidency.

Quick Scoop

  • Total electoral votes: 538.
  • Number needed to become president: 270 (a simple majority).
  • Why 538?
    • 435 seats in the House of Representatives.
* 100 seats in the Senate.

* 3 electoral votes for Washington, D.C., granted by the 23rd Amendment.

So when people ask “how many electoral votes are there,” they’re talking about these 538 electors who actually cast the deciding votes for president every four years.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.