How is the total number of electoral votes for a state determined?

The total number of electoral votes for a state is determined by the sum of its Senators and members of the House of Representatives. Each state is allocated two electoral votes for its two Senators, regardless of population. In addition, the number of House members a state has is based on its population as determined by the most recent census. This combination reflects both the Equal Representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House, ensuring that both aspects of a state's legislative role in Congress are accounted for in the electoral vote count.

States with larger populations have more representatives in the House, which increases their electoral votes, while every state, no matter how small its population, is guaranteed at least three electoral votes due to the two Senate seats and at least one House seat. This process ensures a balance between population size and state representation in the Electoral College, forming a crucial part of how presidential elections are conducted in the United States.