2008 United States presidential election in Texas facts for kids
The 2008 United States presidential election in Texas happened on November 4, 2008. This was part of the bigger national election that year. In Texas, John McCain won the election. He received all of the state's 34 electoral votes.
Understanding the 2008 Election in Texas
A presidential election is when people in the United States choose their leader, the President. This happens every four years. In 2008, the main candidates were John McCain and Barack Obama. They were running to become the next President.
Texas is a very important state in these elections. This is because it has many people, which means it has many electoral votes. These votes help decide who wins the presidency.
Who Were the Main Candidates?
There were two main candidates for President in 2008.
John McCain: The Republican Candidate
John McCain was a Senator from Arizona. He belonged to the Republican Party. The Republican Party often believes in less government involvement and lower taxes. McCain had served in the military and was a well-known political figure.
Barack Obama: The Democratic Candidate
Barack Obama was a Senator from Illinois. He belonged to the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party often supports more government programs to help people and protect the environment. Obama was a rising star in politics.
How Elections Work: Electoral Votes
When you vote for President, you are actually voting for "electors." These electors are people who promise to vote for a specific candidate. This system is called the Electoral College.
Texas's Electoral Votes
In 2008, Texas had 34 electoral votes. The number of electoral votes a state has depends on its population. States with more people get more electoral votes.
Winner-Take-All System
Most states, including Texas, use a "winner-take-all" system. This means that the candidate who wins the most votes in that state gets all of its electoral votes. Even if a candidate wins by a small amount, they still get all the votes.
Election Day in Texas
On November 4, 2008, people across Texas went to their local polling places. They cast their ballots to choose who they wanted for President. Voting is a key part of democracy, where citizens have their say.
The Results in Texas
After all the votes were counted, John McCain won the election in Texas. This meant that all 34 of Texas's electoral votes went to him. Even though McCain won Texas, Barack Obama won the national election and became President.
Why Texas Matters in Elections
Texas is one of the largest states in the U.S. because of its population. This makes it a very important state in presidential elections. Its large number of electoral votes can greatly influence the final outcome.
Historically, Texas has often voted for Republican candidates in presidential elections. This trend continued in 2008 with John McCain's victory in the state.
