The Electoral College has been a fundamental part of the way the United States operates as a democratic system since its founding. But along the way, many have stopped to question exactly why it has been a part of our system, and some others have sought to amend or eradicate it.

But why?

The Electoral College was created to insulate the President form the popular vote. Not that it was necessary at the time, seeing as only white, property-holding men were permitted to cast their ballots. Still, it was successful in that it ensured voting power was not concentrated in large, northern cities like New York and Boston.

It continues to do the same today, making sure voters in populous states like California and Texas do not control elections. Smaller states are empowered, people turn up to vote, a President is elected and all is well.

Or is it?

The Electoral College is, according to 63% of Americans as of a 2024 study, an outdated system of electing our executive. I would argue it was outdated from the beginning — it is a system that empowers certain voters over others and discourages voting for certain demographics.

Voters in less populous states like Georgia and North Carolina have a distinct advantage over those in more populous states like California because their electoral votes represent a smaller group people. Therefore, each individual in these states has a greater impact. In theory, this is supposed to ensure no states’ voice is left unheard. But what about the people in those states?

Take Republican voters in California, or Democrat voters in Texas. Their votes are all but nullified by the Electoral College. Therefore, it’s easy for people like this not to show up on election day, because they know no matter what their vote is as an individual, their secure red/blue state will always turn the same way.

Past attempts to remove

Since it was created in the Constitution, Congress has tried to remove the Electoral College numerous times. Most notably, in1969, the House passed a resolution to abolish the Electoral College in favor of a direct popular vote, but it was filibustered in the Senate.

It is difficult to pass because it requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress or ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Conclusion

So while yes, smaller states are lifted up, it’s important to recognize that the people within those states are also lifted up. America is founded on principles of equality. But somehow, the Electoral College has made it so our votes are not all equal.

Who’s going to tell Democrat voters in Florida, or Republican voters in New York that their votes matter less just because of the state that they live in? What do you say to a voter who doesn’t turn up because they fail to see the point, when the fact is, they’re right?