How can the president and vice-president receive fewer than 270 electoral votes?

In the United states voting system it is winner takes all. For example in texas (with a total of 34 electoral college votes) if you received 18 votes in texas and the other candidate received 16, you would be awarded all 34 college vote in total. in 2000 George Bush did not get the most amount of people vote for him however he still mainained presidency. this was done by winning the required 270 votes.