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2004 Election Season 
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U.S. PRESIDENT / ELECTORAL VOTE COUNT

The president and vice president are elected by 538 Electoral College voters, one per senator and representative from each state, who usually cast a ballot for the candidate who wins the popular vote. In addition, the District of Columbia has three votes. A candidate must receive a majority of 270 votes to win the election.


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NOVEMBER 2
• General election
• States send Certificates of Ascertainment - the list of electors - to the Federal Register through December 13.
DECEMBER 13
• Electors meet in each state to vote for president and vice president. Most meet at their respective state capitols.
DECEMBER 22
• By this date, votes must reach the president of the Senate and the archivist.
JANUARY 6
• Congress meets in joint session to count and announce the vote.
No candidate wins majority
• Newly elected House picks president from top three Electoral College vote-getters.
• Newly elected Senate chooses vice president from top two Electoral College vote-getters.
Timeline: Congressional intervention

An elector bucks system
• In 26 states and Washington D.C., laws require electors to follow the popular vote.
• Some states threaten penalties for "faithless electors." No one has ever been prosecuted.
Details: Rules and regulations



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NOTE
• All Times Eastern Standard
• CNN will broadcast a projected winner only after an extensive review of data from a number of sources. Details about CNN's projection process
* The poll closing countdown clock runs off the time on your computer. Your computer may not exactly match the official poll closing clock. To ensure a closer match, try synchronizing your clock to a network time server. Technical help and advice
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