What Were The Electoral College Results In 2008

David Muir

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08-12-2024

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The 2008 United States presidential election saw a decisive victory for Barack Obama, the Democratic Party nominee, over Republican nominee John McCain. While Obama won a significant popular vote margin, the Electoral College results solidified his victory.

The Electoral College Explained

Before diving into the specifics, it's important to understand the Electoral College system. The President of the United States isn't directly elected by popular vote. Instead, citizens vote for a slate of electors who then cast the actual votes for President. Each state receives a number of electors equal to its total number of Senators (always two) and Representatives (based on population). The candidate winning the popular vote in a state typically receives all of that state's electoral votes (this is known as the "winner-take-all" system, with exceptions in Maine and Nebraska).

2008 Electoral College Results: A Landslide Victory

Barack Obama secured a commanding victory in the Electoral College, winning 365 electoral votes compared to John McCain's 173 electoral votes. This significant margin reflects Obama's broad appeal across various states.

Key States That Determined the Outcome:

Several states played a crucial role in determining the outcome, including:

• Ohio: A traditionally swing state, Ohio's 20 electoral votes were pivotal for Obama's victory.
• Florida: Another crucial swing state, Florida's 27 electoral votes were also significant in securing Obama's electoral majority.
• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania, with its 21 electoral votes, consistently voted Democratic and contributed to Obama's win.

It's important to note: While the Electoral College determined the winner, Obama also won the national popular vote by a substantial margin. This is not always the case in US Presidential elections; there have been instances where the winner of the popular vote lost the election due to the Electoral College system.

Conclusion

The 2008 Electoral College results clearly demonstrated a decisive victory for Barack Obama. His win highlighted the importance of key swing states and underscored the influence of the Electoral College in determining the outcome of US presidential elections. Understanding the Electoral College is crucial for analyzing the dynamics of US presidential races.