What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to be elected President?

To be elected President of the United States, a candidate must secure a majority of the electoral votes. The total number of electoral votes available is 538, which includes votes from all states and the District of Columbia. Therefore, in order to win the presidency, a candidate needs at least half of that total, which comes to 270 electoral votes. This requirement ensures that the elected president has the support of a majority of the Electoral College, reflecting a broad consensus among the states. Consequently, while 538 indicates the total, it is 270 that represents the threshold needed to clinch the presidency.