What is the electoral college and how is it tied to the United States census
The Electoral College is a process used in the United States to elect the President. It is comprised of electors who are chosen by each state based on its representation in Congress (senators + representatives). The number of electors for each state is equal to the sum of its senators and representatives.
The tie to the United States census lies in how the number of electors for each state is determined. The census is conducted every ten years to count the population of the United States and determine the number of representatives each state will have in the House of Representatives. The data from the census is used to adjust the allocation of seats in the House, and thus the number of electors per state in the Electoral College.
As population distribution changes over time, states may gain or lose seats in the House of Representatives and consequently gain or lose electors in the Electoral College. The census plays a crucial role in ensuring that the representation in the Electoral College accurately reflects the population of each state.