The Purpose of the Electoral College

Background: This comment was made in response to one advocating the removal of the electoral college and explains some of the rationale as to why it is helpful to citizens living in more sparsely populated states.

_{Received a reply that it was well thought out and thorough by a random person on the internet so you know I speak with some authority on the matter. :P}

Source

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Comment against the EC

The EC is no longer the solution it once was and it's creating all new problems. It's outstayed its welcome.

And a large part of the EC existing was to prevent the nation from making a mistake. If it didn't prevent someone like Trump as compromised as he is, it never will.

Response for the EC

Yes, but wouldn't the states consisting of major metropolitan areas (take NYC for instance) have overwhelming influence over citizens of more rural states whose interests may be different?

For example, a citizen in a very developed city may have no concern for laws respecting the rights to live off-grid and vote for such legislation to require utilities to be subsidized / socialized and essentially restrict others rights to produce ones own energy, instance.

This is not far removed from reality as I recalled this incident.

This isn't to demonstrate city vs rural interests but rather think it is an instance of legislation that has little consequence for city dwellers but is much more impactful towards those that live in more remote locations w less infrastructure.

But, of course, we aren't speaking about specific legislation but rather the leader of our nation but this does not change the dynamic. We all just choose who we think would be the best advocate to the interests specific to our region wherever they may be.

The EC provides balance ensuring not any one state has too much influence due to more limited areas of highly concentrated populations.

Just because Trump got elected doesn't mean the EC should be scrapped. It's just one result but if you want to change it. Maybe some of y'all need to move out of the cities in states that won't vote for him in 2020 and go to places that are could give an opposing candidate the EC votes.

Obviously, I would recommend to be ethical. Educate yourself with the place you move and vote for what is best in light of that information. If you really, really, really want to try to influence the EC game. That's too much work for me tbh.

TL;DR: EC offsets the overwhelming influence city populations would have over the interests over rural populations.

Hope this helps you understand the purpose of the EC and why we should preserve it even if we are city slickers.