STILLWATER, Okla. —
To win the presidency, either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney must win 270 votes in the Electoral College.
There are 538 votes available, and each state has a number of votes assigned to them based on population. Oklahoma has seven electoral votes. California has 55, the most in the nation.
All but two states have a winner take all system, said James Davis, associate professor of political science at OSU. Maine and Nebraska have a “winner take some” system.
In the event of a tie in the Electoral College, each state in the House of Representatives gets one vote to decide the winner.
The vice president is decided by the Senate by a simple vote.
Davis said a tie is a theoretical possibility, but that it’s unlikely.
“Someone’s gonna go over 270 (votes),” Davis said.
A tie in electoral votes has only happened once in U.S. history, when Thomas Jefferson beat John Adams in 1800.
Davis said there are only a few battleground states left. He mentioned Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, Nevada and Colorado as being undecided.
“Ohio is the king-maker this time, if Obama wins Ohio, which he probably will, it’ll be hard to beat him. Ohio is a must-win for Romney.” Davis said.
Because Oklahoma is a “red state,” it’s a foregone conclusion that Romney will win Oklahoma, Davis said. “It’s the reddest state in the union.”
Local News
Oklahoma State University professor says Electoral College tie is unlikely
- Local News
-
-
Habitat will send bus of volunteers to help Moore cleanup efforts
Habitat's ReStore manager Jennifer Dault said Friday 20 had already signed up. The team will leave at 6 a.m and return at 6 p.m.
-
Multi-agency resource centers open Saturday in Carney. Little Axe and Shawnee
The centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can meet with American Red Cross and partner agency caseworkers to receive assistance to their short-term needs, American Red Cross spokesman Ken Garcia said.
-
Williams' attorneys claim jurors visited crime scene during trial, seek new trial
Former Oklahoma State University basketball player Darrell Williams was convicted in July of two counts of rape by instrumentation and a count of sexual misconduct.
-
Stillwater High Senior Class President tells grads to 'be incredible'
353 Stillwater High School seniors graduate.
-
BREAKING NEWS: Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation lead agency in homicide near Cushing
More information expected later.
-
Responder suffers loss of his Carney home in tornado
- National Weather Service Forecast
-
Mom delivered baby as tornado struck
Shayla Taylor's second child was moments from birth as an EF-5 tornado bore down on Moore Medical Center on Monday afternoon.
-
Tornado took Moore's youngest
When a top-of-the-scale EF5 tornado ripped through Moore, it took with it 24 lives. Seven of them were children at Plaza Towers Elementary school; two were only babies.
-
Storms bring flooding to Oklahoma City area
Residents urged to delay travel.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
