November 7, 2000 is a very special day in the United States. Voters all across the nation

are 【21】representatives in local and national races. Some people think that they're voting for the president of our country too. They're not! Again, they're voting for【22】These representatives are called electors. They are part of a system called the Electoral College.

In most states the electors are chosen on a winner take all basis. That makes it【23】for one candidate to win【24】electors while getting less popular votes nationally than his【25】.

The【26】will meet in their respective states and vote for president and vice-president on December 18, 2000. The Constitution does not【27】the electors to vote for the candidates that they are pledged to, but they almost always do.【28】January 6, 2001, just two weeks before the【29】president and vice-president take office, the votes will be counted in Congress.

If no one gets a majority (more than half) of the electoral votes, at least 270 out of 538, the【30】will be chosen by Congress. The House of Representatives will choose (one vote per state) the president and the Senate will choose the vice-president. It's not likely, but we could【31】end up with a president from one party and a vice-president from【32】.

In an extremely close election, all【33】of strange outcomes are possible. Will the【34】that most voters prefer be the next【35】？ And when will we even know？

(41)

A．phoning

B．asking

C．wishing

D．electing