How does the presidential election work?

Each of the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, has a certain number of Electoral College votes to award a candidate, based on the number of members of Congress it has. This is roughly in line with each area's population. Except in Maine and Nebraska, the votes are given on a winner-takes-all basis.

This system matters, as the popular vote is less important than the Electoral College vote. Clinton's campaign should be buoyed by big Democratic states such as New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California, and these populous states could lead her to victory with their large number of Electoral College votes.