Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

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Prepare for the FTCE Subject Area Exam with targeted questions and insights. Enhance your readiness with detailed explanations and focused learning materials to succeed on your test day.

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To be elected president of the United States, what must a candidate achieve?

A plurality of votes
A majority of popular votes
A majority of electoral votes
A consensus among the electoral college

The correct answer is: A majority of electoral votes

To be elected president of the United States, a candidate must achieve a majority of electoral votes. The United States uses the Electoral College system to elect its president, which is outlined in the Constitution. Each state has a certain number of electoral votes based on its population, and when citizens cast their votes on Election Day, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to vote for their chosen candidate. A candidate needs a minimum of 270 out of the 538 total electoral votes to secure the presidency. This system emphasizes the importance of winning states rather than focusing solely on the national popular vote. While a candidate may receive a plurality or even a majority of the popular vote, it is the majority of electoral votes that ultimately determines the winner of the presidential election.