What is the role of the Electoral College?

• A. A body that directly elects the President by majority vote in each state
• B. A group of electors chosen by each state who officially cast votes for the President
• C. A committee in Congress that certifies the election
• D. A national popular vote tally

Answer: (B)

The Electoral College is the group of electors chosen by each state who officially cast votes for the President. When people vote, they’re actually selecting electors pledged to their candidate, and those electors meet on a designated day to cast the official votes for President (and Vice President). The candidate who earns a majority of the electoral votes wins, with the total currently needing 270. This system isn’t a direct national popular vote, nor is it a congressional panel that certifies the results; the electors themselves deliver the final, official votes. In short, the Electoral College serves as the constitutional mechanism that translates state-by-state results into the presidency.