How many electoral votes are needed to elect the President?

To elect the President of the United States, a candidate must secure a majority of the electoral votes from the Electoral College. There are a total of 538 electoral votes available, and thus, a candidate must obtain at least 270 votes to achieve that majority. This requirement reflects the importance of securing broad support across varied states to win the presidency, as the electoral votes are distributed based on each state's population and political representation. Understanding this aspect of the electoral process is crucial for grasping how presidential elections function in the United States.