What is the role of the Electoral College?

The role of the Electoral College is to officially elect the President and Vice President of the United States. This process is outlined in the U.S. Constitution and involves a unique system in which citizens cast their votes for electors who then formally cast votes for the candidates for these offices. This system is intended to balance the influence of populous states with less populous ones, ensuring that all regions of the country have a voice in the selection of the President and Vice President.

Unlike national polls, which gather public opinion, or the oversight of voting procedures, which is handled by local and state election officials, the Electoral College specifically functions to finalize the election outcome. Additionally, campaigning for candidates is a separate function that falls outside the responsibilities of the Electoral College. Therefore, its primary and constitutionally-defined purpose is to officially elect the nation's highest executive leadership.