Electoral votes are allocated to each state based on data compiled by the U.S. Census, which is conducted at the beginning of every decade. In order to win the presidential race, a candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes. There are a total of 538 electors.

And that’s thanks to the Electoral College. In recent years, the Electoral College has become the de facto boogeyman in conversations about U.S. presidential elections. But what is the Electoral College,