How does California selects its electors?
On or before October 1 of the presidential election year, each party's nominee must file a
list containing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the 55 electors pledges to
him/her. Each party determines its own method for selecting electors.
In the Democratic Party, each congressional nominee and each US Senate nominee (determined
by the last two elections) designates one elector.
In the Republican Party, the nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer,
controller, attorney general, secretary of state, United States Senators (again, going back
two elections) the Senate and Assembly GOP leaders, all elected officers of the GOP state
central committee, the national committeeman and committeewoman, the president of the GOP
county central committee chairmen's organization and the chair or president of each GOP
volunteer organization officially recognized by the state central committee act as electors.
No incumbent Senators, congressional representatives or persons holding an office of trust or
profit of the United States can serve as electors.
American Independent electors are selected at the party's nominating convention, as are those
of the Green, Libertarian, Natural Law, and Peace & Freedom parties, who further specify a
50/50 ratio of men and women.
What happens if the electoral vote is a tie?
The House of Representatives makes the decision with each state having one vote.
Representatives of at least two-thirds of the states must be present for the vote.
If they cannot decide by March 4, then the Vice President become President and the person
receiving the largest number of Vice President votes becomes Vice President.
Where can I find more information on the electoral college?
This information and more is available at the National Archives and Record Administration,
website:
www.archives.gov/federal_register/electoral_college.
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