Scoring & Regions

How electoral votes are counted — and multiplied

The game ends immediately when the 36th state is won. Everyone scores. Most total electoral votes wins. Your score has four parts: state EVs, swing state bonus, regional bonus, and siege penalty.

State electoral votes

Every state you own scores its face EV value. Swing states score double. Your home state is yours automatically from setup.

State typeScores
Standard stateFace EV value
Swing state2× face EV value
Home stateFace EV value (automatic from setup)

The regional bonus

Win a connected block of states anchored to your home state and earn a lump-sum bonus on top of all face values.

States in your regionBonus
3 states (home + 2)+15 EV
4 states+25 EV
5 states+35 EV
6 or more+45 EV (maximum)

Step 1 — Build the core

Kentucky is your home state. To form the 3-state core you need two states that both touch Kentucky and touch each other. Indiana and West Virginia both border Kentucky — and they share a border with each other. Core established: KY + IN + WV = +15 EV.

Diagram 1 — The 3-state core (KY + IN + WV)

Home (KY)
Core region
Not in region

Step 2 — Add a 4th state

Every state added after the core must touch at least two states already in your region. Tennessee borders both Indiana and West Virginia — two region states — so it qualifies. Region grows to KY + IN + WV + TN = +25 EV.

Diagram 2 — Tennessee added (4 states = +25 EV)

Home (KY)
Your region
Not in region

What does NOT count

Missouri borders Kentucky but does not touch Indiana or West Virginia. It has only one connection to the region — not two. It does not extend the bonus. You still score Missouri's face EV value; it simply sits outside the regional block.

Diagram 3 — Missouri touches KY only — excluded from region

Home (KY)
Your region
One link only — excluded
Not in region
Missouri scores its 10 EV face value — it just doesn't extend the regional bonus. Owning isolated states still matters for your total EV count.

The siege penalty

At game end, every state bordering your home state that an opponent owns cuts your Regional Bonus by 10 EV, down to a minimum of zero. Kentucky's hex neighbors are Indiana, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, and Missouri. If opponents hold Virginia and Missouri — both border Kentucky — your bonus takes a hit.

Diagram 4 — Opponents hold Virginia and Missouri (both border KY)

Home (KY)
Your region
Opponent siege states
Unclaimed
+25 EV regional bonus − 10 EV (VA) − 10 EV (MO) = +5 EV net bonus. Two siege states cut the bonus by 80%.
The siege penalty reduces your Regional Bonus only — never your face EV totals. Opponents can cut the bonus to zero but cannot take your states at scoring.

Full scoring example

You own Kentucky (8), Indiana (11), West Virginia (4), Tennessee (11). Opponents hold Virginia and Missouri. Your 4-state region earns +25 EV but siege drops it to +5 EV.

ComponentEV
KY + IN + WV + TN face values34 EV
4-state regional bonus+25 EV
Siege (VA + MO, both border KY)−20 EV
Total39 EV