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That is the difference between a simple Democracy and a Republic. In a Republic, the people elect the electors. States are assigned one elector for each member of Congress. Every state has precisely two Senators. The members of the House are apportioned proportionally so more populous states get more electors. The smallest possible number of electors for a state is 3. Two senators + one House member.It seems you can have less votes and still win.
That system was determined because it was a way to give states with small populations at least some say in the election of a president. Otherwise, California and the next 11 largest states by population would totally control the presidency.
Total: 538. Majority needed to elect the president and vice president: 270.
Electoral votes by state
state number of votes state number of votes *Although not a state, the District of Columbia is allotted electors.