What is the purpose of the Electoral College in the election of the President?

A. To ensure equal representation of states in the election process

B. To directly elect the President by popular vote

C. To provide an additional layer of protection against tyranny

D. To serve as an advisory body to Congress

1 answer

C. To provide an additional layer of protection against tyranny

The Electoral College was designed by the framers of the US Constitution as a compromise between election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens. It was created to prevent a tyrannical majority from electing a President who may not have the best interests of the country in mind. Each state is allocated a number of electors based on their representation in Congress, which provides a balance of power between the states in the election process.