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American Government / Unit 5   Gov 216 short lesson, about 20 seconds

ERROR: "The National Popular Vote Elects the President"

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The idea

The claim that the national popular vote elects the president is false: the presidency is won state by state, in electoral votes.

In practice

A candidate can win the most votes nationwide and lose the election — the record shows it happening.

Where people slip

The popular total is a headline number with no constitutional role in the outcome.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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