What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

The purpose of the Electoral College is to formally cast votes for President and Vice President. This system was established in the United States Constitution as a compromise between electing the President by a vote in Congress and by popular vote among citizens. When citizens cast their votes in a presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to vote for their chosen candidate. These electors then convene and cast the official votes for President and Vice President, ultimately determining the outcome of the election.

This mechanism helps to ensure that all states have a role in the election outcome, balancing the influence of populous states with less populous ones through a system of electoral votes. Each state's number of electors is based on its congressional representation, thus reinforcing the federal nature of the U.S. government and ensuring that smaller states still have a significant voice in the electoral process.