The outcome of the presidential race is based on the Electoral College, rather than the popular vote. The first candidate to win at least 270 electoral votes wins the presidency.

The outcome of the presidential race is based on the Electoral College, rather than the popular vote. The first candidate to win at least 270 electoral votes wins the presidency. / FiveThirtyEight

On Nov. 8, the presidency will be decided once one of the candidates reaches 270 electoral votes. Electoral votes are cast by members of the Electoral College. That's something most people know, but what they don't know is how exactly the Electoral College works. So, we offer an explanation in our series, “Break It Down.” Then, we talk with FiveThirtyEight politics editor Micah Cohen about how the electoral college may impact this year’s presidential race. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyIFqf3XH24

Tags: electoral college  Break It Down  Election 2016  Atlanta  Georgia