Maine and Nebraska use a different arrangement. They award two electors to the statewide winner and one elector to the winner of each congressional district. This district method can divide a state's electoral votes between candidates. Neither system changes the number of electors assigned to the state. It changes only how the state distributes them after the popular vote.

The exam often tests the strategic consequence. Under winner-take-all, gaining extra votes in a state a candidate is already certain to win may add no electoral votes. A small shift in a closely divided state can transfer the entire slate. Keep the rule distinct from the Electoral College itself: the College is constitutional, while winner-take-all is the dominant state-law choice within it.

Video lesson: Election Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics #36