What is the function of the Electoral College?

The function of the Electoral College is to formally elect the president and vice president of the United States. Established in the Constitution, the Electoral College consists of electors from each state who cast their votes for the candidates based on the outcome of the popular vote in their respective states during presidential elections. This mechanism was designed to balance the influence of populous states with less populous ones in the selection of the nation's leaders.

The process begins when citizens cast their votes on Election Day, but the outcome does not directly determine the president. Instead, the votes influence how the electors from each state will cast their votes in the Electoral College, which meets in December after the election. The final tallies from the Electoral College are counted in a joint session of Congress in January, and the candidates who receive a majority of the electoral votes are declared the president and vice president.

The other choices refer to activities that are not related to the primary role of the Electoral College. While overseeing local elections and conducting voter registration are part of the election process, they fall under the responsibilities of local and state election officials. Organizing national referendums also does not pertain to the functions of the Electoral College, as referendums are typically localized votes on specific legislation rather than part of