Understanding the Electoral College

In less than a week, we'll know who won the presidential race: who won the popular vote and the 270 votes necessary to win the Electoral College.

The last time we really focused on its role was the 2000 Presidential race where Democrat Al Gore had a slender popular vote win but an Electoral College win for George W. Bush. The results wound up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

All polls show a very close race between President Barrack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney and a split verdict between the national vote and the Electoral College has become a distinct possibility.

University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Kathryn Pearson talked with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer about how the Electoral College could factor into the upcoming Presidential election.

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