How does the Electoral College system influence presidential elections in the United States?

1. It may result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote.

2. It encourages voter turnout and civic engagement across all states equally.

3 .It ensures that the popular vote accurately reflects the outcome of the election.

4. It provides a direct link between voters and presidential candidates.

5. It gives smaller states a greater influence in the election process, as they are allocated a minimum number of electoral votes regardless of population size.

6. It can lead to candidates focusing primarily on swing states that are crucial in winning the Electoral College, rather than on addressing national issues.

7. It can create a situation where a candidate needs to win a few key battleground states to secure enough electoral votes, rather than needing to win a majority of votes across the entire country.

8. It can lead to discrepancies between the electoral vote and popular vote outcomes, causing controversy and calls for reform in the election process.