The Electoral College is a unique system used in the United States for electing the President and Vice President. Instead of a direct popular vote, citizens cast their votes for a slate of electors pledged to vote for a specific candidate. Each state has a certain number of electors based on its population, and a total of 538 electors exist nationwide. When citizens vote in the presidential election, they are actually voting for these electors. A candidate needs a majority of the electoral votes, at least 270, to win the presidency. This system has sparked debate over its fairness and effectiveness in representing the will of the people.