What is the role of the Electoral College in the United States?

The role of the Electoral College in the United States is to serve as the official body responsible for electing the president and vice president. Established by the Constitution, this institution consists of electors from each state, whose numbers correspond to the total number of senators and representatives that state has in Congress. When citizens cast their votes during a presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to their chosen candidate, rather than directly voting for the candidates themselves.

Once the votes are counted, each state’s electors meet and cast their votes for president and vice president. These votes are formally submitted to Congress, where they are counted in a joint session. This process is critical because it highlights the unique structure of the U.S. electoral system, which balances the influence of both populous and less populous states in the election of national leaders.