Popular vote

Definition

The popular vote is the total number of votes cast by the general public in an election, as opposed to votes cast by electors in a system like the Electoral College. It represents the choice of the electorate at large, showing which candidate or option received the most support among voters.

Related terms

Electoral College:

A body of electors established by the United States Constitution, which forms every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president.

Plurality: A voting outcome where the candidate with the most votes wins, but does not necessarily receive an absolute majority (over 50%) of all votes cast.

Majoritarianism: A democratic principle that decisions should reflect the preferences of more than half of those voting