In American politics, what is often more significant than the popular vote?

In American politics, the electoral vote is often more significant than the popular vote due to the structure of the Electoral College system used during presidential elections. The Electoral College allocates a specific number of electoral votes to each state, and a candidate must secure a majority of these electoral votes to win the presidency, regardless of the nationwide popular vote. This system emphasizes the importance of winning states rather than simply gaining the highest number of overall votes across the country.

For example, a candidate can win the presidency by achieving a majority of electoral votes while receiving fewer popular votes than their opponent, as seen in several historical elections. This demonstrates that the electoral vote plays a critical role in determining the outcome of elections, creating a unique focus on state-by-state strategies and coalition-building within the electoral process.