What is the primary role of the Electoral College?

The primary role of the Electoral College is to elect the President of the United States. Established by the Constitution, the Electoral College is comprised of electors from each state who are pledged to vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote in their respective states. This system creates a mechanism for indirect election, where the popular vote determines which electors will cast their official votes for President.

The key purpose of the Electoral College is to balance the influence of populous states with less populous states in the election process. By awarding a specific number of electors based on a state's representation in Congress (the sum of its Senators and House Representatives), it ensures that smaller states still have a meaningful voice in the selection of the President. This reflects the federal structure of the U.S. government, where both the national and state interests are considered.

Other options do not align with the fundamental function of the Electoral College. Direct election of the Senate refers to a separate process established by the 17th Amendment, national referendums are not a role played by the Electoral College, and while states do have representation in Congress, that is achieved through a different electoral process involving their congressional delegations rather than through the Electoral College itself.