I don't think people know or think about the actual numbers with the population. At best two thirds of eligible voters actually vote. Those people are pretty evenly divided with their votes.

So a mandate is at most 1/3 of the eligible population voting for a person. This is seldom discussed by anyone because it really pulls back to veil of legitimacy we are propagandized into believing.

Been listening to people whining about Trumps victory. It's so pathetic to me.