Step 1 Number of electors for each state determined Each state is allotted one elector for each U.S. representative and senator it has. Washington D.C. receives three electors, the same number of electors as the least populous state. [Map out the ways Clinton or Trump could win]

Step 2 Electors are nominated Mostly, electors are nominated at state party conventions and their names are given to the state’s election official. [The most challenging job of the 2016 race: Editing the candidates’ Wikipedia pages]

Step 3 Voters select electors on Election Day Voters in each state cast their ballot for the slate of electors representing their choice of presidential ticket. Electors’ names do not usually appear on the ballot. [Planning to write in Paul Ryan or Bernie Sanders? It won’t count in most states.]

Step 4 Electoral votes are tallied for states/jurisdictions The slate of electors for the presidential ticket that receives the most votes is appointed and all of the electoral votes for that state go to those candidates (Except in Maine and Nebraska, which each give two at-large delegates to whoever wins the state and the rest to whoever wins in each congressional district.) [Election maps are telling you big lies about small things]

Step 5 Majority of electoral votes determines the winner A candidate needs to win a majority of 538 electoral votes — 270 — to be elected president. If no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the House chooses the president and the Senate chooses the vice president. [What one swing state can teach us about political polarization in America]