In the United States, determining which candidate has won the presidential election isn’t as straightforward as winning the popular vote. It’s done through a unique system called the electoral college. The electoral college has faced increased scrutiny by the public over the years, as its very design-awarding electoral votes from each state based on their population-excludes millions of legitimate votes in determining presidential outcomes. In five previous presidential elections the eventual winner lost the popular vote, but secured a majority of the points awarded by the electoral college.
