What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

The purpose of the Electoral College is specifically to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. This system was established in the U.S. Constitution as a compromise between electing the president by a vote in Congress and by popular vote among citizens. Each state is allocated a number of electors based on its representation in Congress, which refers to the combined number of its Senators (always two) and Representatives. During presidential elections, voters in each state cast their ballots for a slate of electors pledged to vote for their chosen candidate, and these electors then formally select the President and Vice President.

Understanding this role is crucial for grasping how the U.S. electoral process functions, especially with regard to the balance between state and federal influences in electing national leaders. Other choices, such as casting votes for members of Congress, providing advice to the President, or conducting primary elections, do not pertain to the specific function of the Electoral College and relate to different aspects of the political process and governance.