What is the Electoral College?

The process for selecting electors varies throughout the United States. Generally, the political parties nominate electors at their State party conventions or by a vote of the party's central committee in each State.

Electors are often selected to recognize their service and dedication to their political party. They may be State-elected officials, party leaders, or persons who have a personal or political affiliation with the Presidential candidate.

Then the voters in each State choose the electors on the day of the general election. The electors' names may or may not appear on the ballot below the name of the candidates running for President, depending on the procedure in each State.

• There are some restrictions for appointing electors.
  
  
• Certificates of Ascertainment confirm the names of the appointed electors.

PDF files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.