The Electoral College is one of the most confusing components of American politics. The college determines how votes are split up for presidential elections throughout the country. 

According to the U.S. Vote Foundation, the Electoral College was established in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention as a compromise. The delegates were torn between wanting Congress to elect the President and the American people to elect the President. 

The Electoral College begins with the people. Each state varies in population; therefore, a different number of representatives to Congress. Every election is different since states can gain and lose both population and representatives. 

“I do not fully understand the concept or like it, and it is a little odd that it can overpower the popular vote. I do think its history is important when the founding fathers were trying to find a compromise,” says Zoey Zeballos, ’26.

The congressional representatives then elect electors to cast the votes for the state. For example, California has a larger population than Pennsylvania. California had fifty-four electors in the 2024 election. Kamala Harris won California so the electors of California cast their votes for her.

Pennsylvania received nineteen electors for this election, so Donald Trump received the nineteen votes from Pennsylvania.

There are 538 electors in total. Of this 538, a candidate must earn 270 to win the presidency. According to CNN, Donald Trump won 312 and Kamala Harris won 226.

“When the Electoral College was made, it might have been a good idea, but the way we use it now is not fair,” says Sophie Best, ’26.”For small states, it is not fair because the bigger states overpower them, and they don’t get as much of a say in elections.”

Imagine you and your friends are going to the school board. It is only three of you, so you decide that one person can speak. If other students get involved in the issue and there is a larger crowd, you may want two speakers. It all depends on the number of people.

More people have more of a voice. Pennsylvania is also a swing state, which means that every election is different in the turnout. Since there is a significant number of electors in Pennsylvania, it is a hard-fought state. The 2024 election turned PA red. 

The continuation and the efficacy of the Electoral College have been debated for years.  Is it a fair representation or outdated?