Who elects the President of the United States?

The President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College, which is a unique system created by the framers of the Constitution. When citizens vote in a presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to support their chosen candidate. Each state has a certain number of electors, equal to the total number of its Senators and Representatives in Congress. These electors meet after the election to formally cast their votes for President and Vice President.

The use of the Electoral College serves several purposes, including balancing the influence of populous states with less populous ones and ensuring that all parts of the country have a say in the selection of the nation's leader. While the popular vote is important, it is the Electoral College that ultimately determines the outcome of the election. This structure is outlined in Article II of the Constitution, emphasizing the compromise made to account for both popular preferences and state representation in the federal system.