What is the primary role of the Electoral College?

The primary role of the Electoral College is to elect the President. This system is established by the U.S. Constitution and reflects the federal nature of the country, ensuring that each state has a say in the selection of the President based on the population combined with a minimum number of electors per state. When citizens cast their votes in a presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to vote for their chosen candidate. These electors then formally cast their votes to elect the President. This unique mechanism balances the influence of populous states with less populous ones, enabling a wider representation of interests across the nation.

Other choices do not align with the core function of the Electoral College. Governing each state pertains to state legislatures and governors, altering legislation is a role of Congress, and appointing judges is the responsibility of the President, with Senate confirmation. Each of these functions represents different aspects of the U.S. political system and illustrates the separation of powers among branches of government.