Connect with us

Politics

Who elects the US president: the people or the Electoral College?

Although only a few hours remain until the decisive moment, the question that arises in every presidential election is: Who elects the president?

Published

on

Although only a few hours remain until the decisive moment, the question that arises in every presidential election is: Who elects the American president, the millions of voters who cast their ballots, or the Electoral College?

This complex electoral system, in which the American citizen loses his vote in choosing the occupant of the White House, faces several criticisms, but it has remained standing for more than 200 years.

When Americans go to the polls, they are not actually voting on candidates for president, but rather on electors or delegates in the Electoral College, a group of senior voters whose one task is to choose the president of the United States.

• How are members of the assembly chosen? A complex electoral system

The process consists of two parts. First, parties in each state select lists of potential voters sometime before the general election. Each presidential candidate has a unique list of potential voters, and parties often choose individuals for the list in recognition of their service and dedication to the party. These individuals may be elected state officials, party leaders, or people with a personal or political affiliation with their party's presidential candidate.

Second: During the general election, when voters in each state cast their votes for their chosen presidential candidate, they are voting to elect their state's electors.

The names of potential voters may or may not appear on the ballot below the presidential candidates' names, depending on each state's election procedures and voting formats.

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, and a candidate needs the support of a majority of 270 to win. Electoral votes are allocated among the states based on population.

Each state has a number of electors in the Electoral College equal to the number of its delegates in the Senate and House of Representatives of Congress (two votes in the Senate and one in the House).

How does a candidate win the state's votes?

•• In almost every state (48 out of 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, which is not a state but is represented in the Electoral College), when a candidate receives a majority, he wins all the votes of the electors (residents and electors of the Electoral College).

This means that if the leading candidate receives 50% plus one of the votes, all votes cast for them are sent to the Electoral College. This is known as the winner-take-all rule.

Without a majority of the Electoral College votes, a candidate does not win, even if they receive the most votes nationwide.

What happens if the candidate does not get the required votes?

If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the Constitution calls for the newly elected House of Representatives to choose the president in what is known as a contingent election, according to Bloomberg. The Senate then chooses the vice president.

The details of the distribution of the Electoral College votes in each state are as follows:

Alabama 9 votes, Kentucky 8, North Dakota 3, Alaska 3, Louisiana 8, Ohio 17, Arizona 11, Maine 4, Oklahoma 7, Arkansas 6, Maryland 10, Oregon 8, California 54 votes (the largest number), Massachusetts 11, Pennsylvania 19, Colorado 10, Michigan 15, Rhode Island 4, Connecticut 7, Minnesota 10, South Carolina 9, Delaware 3, Mississippi 6, South Dakota 3, District of Columbia 3, Missouri 10, Tennessee 11, Florida 30, Montana 4, Texas 40, Georgia 16, Nebraska 5, Utah 6, Hawaii 4, Nevada 6, Vermont 3, Idaho 4, New Hampshire 4, Virginia 13, Illinois 19, New Jersey 14, Washington 12 11 votes, New Mexico 5, West Virginia 4, Iowa 6, New York 28, Wisconsin 10, Kansas 6, North Carolina 16, Wyoming 3 votes.

The number of seats in the Electoral College changes every 10 years according to the population census in the United States.

The Saudi News Network first launched on Twitter via its official account, @SaudiNews50, and quickly became one of the Kingdom's leading independent news sources, thanks to its fast and reliable coverage of major local and international events. Due to the growing trust of its followers, the network expanded by launching its website, a comprehensive news platform offering regularly updated content in the fields of politics, economics, health, education, and national events, presented in a professional style that meets the public's expectations. The network strives to enhance public awareness and provide accurate information in a timely manner through on-the-ground reporting, in-depth analysis, and a specialized editorial team, making it a trusted source for anyone seeking up-to-the-minute Saudi news.

Politics

British warning to Iran: We will not remain silent about the targeting of our allies in the region

Britain sent a firm message to Iran through spokeswoman Jocelyn Waller, stressing that it would not remain silent in the face of attacks on allies and praising efforts to protect civilians amid escalating regional tensions.

Published

on

British warning to Iran: We will not remain silent about the targeting of our allies in the region

In a significant development reflecting the depth of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the United Kingdom sent a strongly worded message to Tehran, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the security and stability of its allies in the region. This firm stance was delivered by the British government spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa, Jocelyn Wallard, who emphasized that London would not remain silent in the face of any actions that jeopardize the security of its partners.

Details of the British warning

In a video posted to her official X account (formerly Twitter), Waller explained that Iran had launched a series of attacks over the past three days in various parts of the region, targeting countries that had not initiated any hostile action against it. The British official indicated that this behavior represents an unjustified escalation that threatens regional peace, emphasizing that "we will not stand idly by" in the face of these transgressions.

Regional context and the importance of alliances

This statement comes at a time of regional instability, as major international powers, particularly the United Kingdom, seek to reaffirm their commitment to security and defense agreements with Gulf and Middle Eastern states. Historically, Britain has deep strategic ties with countries in the region, extending beyond economics to include close military and security cooperation. This British stance is interpreted as part of a Western deterrence strategy aimed at preventing the escalation of conflict and ensuring freedom of navigation and global energy security.

Protection of civilians and international responsibility

In her remarks, Waller highlighted the humanitarian and social dimensions of the targeted countries, describing them as homelands that welcome citizens of diverse nationalities and backgrounds, including a large British community living and working there. She expressed the UK government's deep gratitude to the local authorities and military forces in those countries, commending their effective and vigilant efforts to protect civilians from air and missile threats.

Implications of timing and the future

The timing of this message carries significant political implications, underscoring that the international community is closely monitoring Iranian actions. Observers believe that London's use of firm diplomatic language suggests a potential increase in security and intelligence coordination between Britain and its allies in the coming period to neutralize any future threats and maintain stability in this vital region for the entire world.

Continue Reading

Politics

The Revolutionary Guard claims to have targeted a US aircraft carrier and Mossad operations

The Revolutionary Guard announces targeting the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln with cruise missiles, and sources reveal Mossad ground operations inside Iran targeting defense industries.

Published

on

The Revolutionary Guard claims to have targeted a US aircraft carrier and Mossad operations

In a remarkable development amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, and coinciding with the continuation of joint US-Israeli strikes, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced new details regarding the naval confrontation, claiming that the US aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln” was forced to flee its strategic location after being targeted by cruise missiles.

Details of the Iranian novel

Revolutionary Guard spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini provided details of the alleged operation on Tuesday, stating that the largest US naval vessel had departed its position and was heading towards the southeastern Indian Ocean. According to the official IRNA news agency, Naeini explained that "the aircraft carrier was stationed approximately 250 to 300 kilometers from the Iranian coast, near the Chabahar port in the southeast of the country.".

The Iranian military official added that “after four cruise missiles were launched towards it, the carrier had no option but to flee and move away from the range of the direct threat,” in a reference to Tehran’s attempt to impose new deterrence equations in the regional and international waters adjacent to its borders.

Mossad operations and targeting of defense industries

On the other side of the conflict, and in connection with the complex military operations, Israeli sources revealed another dimension to the confrontation that goes beyond conventional airstrikes. Reports indicate that members of the Israeli intelligence agency (Mossad) and special forces operated on the ground deep inside Iran. This information coincides with Iranian sources announcing that a defense industries headquarters was targeted by precision airstrikes.

Military experts point out that the successful targeting of sensitive facilities such as defense industry headquarters often requires accurate intelligence from the field, which reinforces the hypothesis of Israeli intelligence and operational activity on the ground to direct strikes or carry out sabotage operations that precede the air bombardment.

The context of the conflict and its regional repercussions

These developments come amid a years-long "shadow war" between Tehran and Tel Aviv, which has recently erupted into the open in an unprecedented manner. Talk of targeting a US aircraft carrier, whether accurate or part of a psychological warfare campaign, represents a dangerous escalation in military rhetoric, as aircraft carriers are symbols of US mobile military power.

Observers of international affairs believe that the region is witnessing a reshaping of the rules of engagement. On one hand, the United States and Israel are seeking to undermine Iranian military capabilities, specifically in the field of military and missile manufacturing. On the other hand, Iran is trying to prove its ability to threaten American interests in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, which poses serious challenges to the security of international navigation and energy supplies that may affect regional and international stability.

Continue Reading

Politics

Assassination of Iran's new Defense Minister Majid Ibn Reza in Tehran

Details of the assassination of Iran’s new Defense Minister Majid Ibn Reza in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran, 48 hours after his appointment as successor to Aziz Nasirzadeh, and the escalation of tension in the region.

Published

on

Assassination of Iran's new Defense Minister Majid Ibn Reza in Tehran

In a rapidly escalating security and military development reflecting the peak of tensions in the region, informed Iranian sources reported today (Tuesday) the death of Iran's newly appointed Defense Minister, Majid Ibn al-Reza , less than 48 hours after his appointment to this sensitive post. This incident follows the death of his predecessor, Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was also killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting the capital, Tehran, a few days ago, according to media outlets close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Details of the operation and the Israeli targeting

The Israeli military, in an official statement, claimed responsibility for the operation, confirming that it targeted a senior Iranian commander in Tehran as part of a series of intensive and precise airstrikes. Military spokesman Efi Defrin explained that Israeli forces focused their strikes on the most heavily fortified areas of the Iranian capital, indicating that the operation targeted "the highest echelons" of the Iranian defense establishment.

The Israeli army reiterated its full readiness to continue carrying out qualitative operations against Iranian targets for the coming weeks, stressing that the recent strikes sent strong and direct messages to the Iranian regime regarding Israel’s ability to reach strategic targets deep inside Iranian territory.

Unprecedented security breach

The assassination of two defense ministers within a few days, and in the heart of Tehran, represents a dangerous indication of the extent of the security and intelligence breaches plaguing the Iranian military establishment. Observers believe that reaching figures of such high rank, and within heavily fortified security zones, signifies that the conflict has shifted from a phase of proxy wars and border skirmishes to one of direct confrontation targeting the very core of the military regime.

Regional context and repercussions of the event

These developments come at a time of unprecedented tension in the Middle East, with growing international fears of a slide into a full-blown regional war. Targeting defense ministers is not merely a tactical military operation; it represents a shift in the rules of engagement that have been in place for years. This escalation presents the region with a range of possible scenarios, as Tehran is expected to seek a face-saving response that restores the balance of deterrence severely damaged by these successive strikes.

The future of the conflict and its impact on stability

Strategically, this event raises serious questions about the future of Iran's leadership structure and its ability to protect its senior officials. Furthermore, the Israeli military's continued threats of operations lasting for weeks suggest that the region is heading toward a prolonged period of instability, which could directly impact global energy markets and shipping lanes, necessitating urgent international diplomatic action to contain the situation before it is too late.

Continue Reading

Trending News