The founders created the Electoral College as a method for electing the president to balance the influence of populous states with that of smaller states, ensuring that all regions of the country had a say in the selection of the president. One specific concern the founders had was the fear of "tyranny of the majority," where the interests of smaller or less populous states could be overshadowed by larger states with more voters.
The Electoral College addresses this concern by allocating a specific number of electoral votes to each state, which is proportional to its representation in Congress (the sum of its Senators and Representatives). This system gives smaller states a slightly greater influence relative to their population size, as every state, regardless of size, has at least three electoral votes. By doing so, the Electoral College ensures that candidates must appeal to a wider range of interests, including those of less populous states, thereby promoting a more balanced and representative electoral process.
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