How many electoral votes?
California is listed with 54 electoral votes in this generated guide.
Electoral College
California Electoral College votes and elector rules
California has 54 electoral votes. See allocation method, elector pledge status, selection process, and verification links.
State Summary
What to know about California Electoral College rules
How are votes awarded?
California is listed as winner-take-all. Under that summary, the statewide popular-vote winner receives the state's Electoral College votes.
Are electors pledged?
California is listed as requiring presidential electors to vote as pledged. The rule details summarize available pledge, replacement, penalty, or enforcement context from the state model.
What should I verify?
Confirm vote allocation, elector pledge enforcement, vacancy replacement, certification, and meeting procedures with official state or federal materials before relying on a legal detail.
Rules
California elector pledge and vote allocation rules
Quick Facts
Electoral College rule snapshot
- Electoral votes
- 54
- Allocation method
- Winner-takes-all
- Elector pledge
- Yes
- Election code
- Ca 7100, 7300
Allocation
Winner-takes-all
California is one of the 48 states that have a winner-takes-all rule for the Electoral College. In these States, whichever candidate receives a majority of the popular vote, or a plurality of the popular vote (less than 50 percent but more than any other candidate), takes all of the state’s Electoral votes.
Elector Pledge
Yes
California is one of the states have passed laws that require their electors to vote as pledged. These laws may either impose a fine on an elector who fails to vote according to the statewide or district popular vote, or may disqualify an elector who violates his or her pledge and provide a replacement elector.
Process
How California electors are selected and vote
These notes summarize the elector selection, vacancy, meeting, or voting details available in the structured state model.
How Does California Select Its Electors?
Presidential electors are designated by the political parties.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 54 electors pledged to him/her. Each party determines its own method for selecting electors.Whenever a political party submits to the Secretary of State its certified list of nominees for electors of...
When Do The Electors Vote?
The electors chosen shall assemble at the State Capitol at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next following their election. In case of the death or absence of any elector chosen, or if the number of electors is deficient for any other reason, the electors then present shall elect, from the citizens of the state, as many persons as will supply the deficiency.
Sources
Sources and verification links
Questions
Common questions
How many Electoral College votes does California have?
California is listed with 54 Electoral College votes.
How does California allocate electoral votes?
California is listed as winner-take-all. Under that summary, the statewide popular-vote winner receives the state's Electoral College votes.
Are California electors pledged?
California is listed as requiring presidential electors to vote as pledged. The rule details summarize available pledge, replacement, penalty, or enforcement context from the state model.
How are California presidential electors selected?
Presidential electors are designated by the political parties.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 54 electors pledged to him/her. Each party determines its own method for...
When do California electors vote?
The electors chosen shall assemble at the State Capitol at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next following their election. In case of the death or absence of any elector chosen, or if the number of electors is deficient for any other reason, the...
Where can I verify California Electoral College rules?
Use official state or federal materials when available. This page links to selected sources including How does California select its electors and National Association Of Secretaries Of State.
Glossary
Key Electoral College terms for California
- California Electoral Votes
- California is listed with 54 electoral votes for the Electoral College in this generated guide.
- California Allocation Method
- California is listed as winner-take-all. Under that summary, the statewide popular-vote winner receives the state's Electoral College votes.
- California Elector Pledge
- California is listed as requiring presidential electors to vote as pledged. The rule details summarize available pledge, replacement, penalty, or enforcement context from the state model.
- Presidential Elector
- A person appointed through the state's presidential election process to cast Electoral College votes for president and vice president.