Electoral College: A Historical and Modern Controversy in U.S. Elections

The Electoral College, rooted in compromise and controversy, continues to shape U.S. presidential elections, often clashing with the popular vote.

The Electoral College system has resulted in five instances where the U.S. president won without the popular vote, highlighting its controversial nature.
Originally designed to balance power between Northern and Southern states, the Electoral College was influenced by compromises over slavery, including the three-fifths compromise.
Critics argue that the Electoral College is outdated and undemocratic, as it can disenfranchise urban conservatives and rural liberals by prioritizing geography over individual votes.
Recent reforms, such as the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022, aim to address some vulnerabilities in the system but do not eliminate the potential for electoral subversion.
The ongoing debate over the Electoral College reflects broader discussions about democracy, equity, and the historical impact of race on American political structures.