What is the primary function of the Electoral College?

The primary function of the Electoral College is to select the president of the United States. This system was established in the U.S. Constitution and is a unique method for electing the president, where voters in each state cast ballots for a slate of electors pledged to vote for a particular candidate. These electors then officially cast their votes for president and vice president during a meeting that occurs in December after the general election.

The design of the Electoral College reflects the federal structure of the United States, balancing the influence of populous states with less populous ones in the presidential election process. While the popular vote does guide the selection of electors, it is the votes cast by these electors that ultimately determine who becomes president. This mechanism aims to ensure that every state, regardless of its population size, has a role in the election of the nation's leader, which enhances the federalism that characterizes the U.S. system of government.