California receives a significant number of electoral college votes due to its large population. The electoral college system allocates votes based on the number of representatives a state has in Congress, which is determined by its population size. Since California is the most populous state in the United States, it has the highest number of representatives in the House of Representatives, currently totaling 53. Additionally, every state is guaranteed at least three electoral votes, which includes two senators and at least one representative.
This combination of factors results in California having 55 electoral votes, making it a crucial player in presidential elections. The concentration of people in urban areas and diverse communities contributes to its growing population, further solidifying its status as a powerhouse in the electoral process.