How many electoral votes are needed to win the election?

To win the presidential election in the United States, a candidate needs to secure a majority of the electoral votes. There are a total of 538 electoral votes available, and therefore, a candidate must obtain at least 270 votes to achieve a majority. This requirement ensures that the winning candidate has broad support across various states and regions, reflecting the decentralized nature of the electoral process. The other answer choices suggest different totals and thresholds that do not correspond to the actual electoral system in place, highlighting the importance of understanding how the Electoral College functions in presidential elections.