Electoral College explained: how it works and its impact on U.S. elections

The Electoral College was established in 1787 as a compromise for electing the U.S. president. It allows citizens to vote for electors who then choose the president, rather than a direct popular vote. This system was designed to balance public influence and prevent corruption. There are 538 electors, with a majority of 270 needed to win. States allocate electors based on population, which changed after the 2020 census. Texas gained two electors, while several states lost one. Electors are typically loyal party members chosen by presidential nominees. The Electoral College's role became controversial after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which aimed to disrupt the vote count. Historically, the process was seen as a formality, but it has led to five instances where a candidate won the presidency without the popular vote, including Donald Trump in 2016.