What determines the number of electoral votes allocated to each state?

The number of electoral votes allocated to each state is determined by congressional representation, which is directly related to the state's population as measured by the decennial census. Each state is awarded a number of electoral votes equal to the total of its U.S. Senators (always 2) and its Representatives in the House, which varies based on the state's population. This system means that states with larger populations have more representatives and, therefore, more electoral votes.

Other factors like population density, the overall state budget, or the state constitution do not play a role in how electoral votes are assigned. While population density might indicate how many people live in a certain area, it is the total population that matters for representation. Similarly, the state budget is unrelated to electoral votes, and although a state constitution outlines certain governance structures and laws within a state, it does not influence the distribution of electoral votes.