What is the process for determining a state's population for electoral vote allocation?

The determination of a state's population for electoral vote allocation is based on the national census. The U.S. Census, conducted every ten years, provides an official count of the population. This count is crucial because the number of electoral votes each state receives in the Electoral College is directly linked to its population size as determined by the Census.

Each state has a minimum of three electoral votes, which come from two senators and at least one representative. States with larger populations gain more representatives, which in turn increases their number of electoral votes. Thus, accurately counting the population through the Census ensures that representation in the Electoral College fairly reflects changes in population distribution across the states.

Random sampling and state surveys do not provide the official count used for allocating electoral votes, because they do not have the same authority or systematic methodology as the Census. Similarly, historical population growth alone does not affect the current allocation of electoral votes unless it is reflected in the most recent Census data.