Understanding the Electoral College

The Electoral College is the mechanism by which the United States elects its president, requiring a candidate to gain a majority of the electoral votes rather than the popular vote. Each state has a minimum of three electoral votes, representing its two senators and at least one House representative, which results in significant disparities in representation among states. For example, California, despite its population, can have a scenario where just a few votes could determine the allocation of its electoral votes, potentially skewing the election results toward a minority preference. This system raises questions about its democratic legitimacy, especially as it leads to situations where the candidate with the most popular votes may still lose the presidency.