Three additional votes are given to the District of Columbia. The votes are not just abstract numbers. The Republican and Democratic parties from each state select their own electors who essentially vote on party lines. Illinois, for example, has 22 electoral votes, which Gore won soundly Nov. 7. Each party chooses 22 of its own, who are actually represented by state and local officials from the two parties.
Electors are state representatives and senators, mayors and other local officials.
Because Gore won Illinois, the state Democratic party gets to send its electors to the Electoral College. Electors do not get a degree when they go, but they do vote for a president. They meet in December of each election year when the Electoral College votes are officially cast. And as the debate rages about whether to scrap the Electoral College in favor of the popular vote, the electors themselves are questioning the current system. Currie opposes the Electoral College but thinks it is an important part of elected leaders' civic responsibility.