I have often wondered why we need the electoral college in this country.
It seems like an unnecessary step and cost to the taxpayers. Sometimes a state will spend all of its electoral votes on the state's popular vote results, and other times a state may choose to pro-rate their electoral votes depending on the voting percentages of the popular vote.

Confused? I was (and frankly, I still am).

Seems like although for the most part, in the voting history of the United States, the electoral votes have been cast in accordance with the popular vote. However, depending on the state, there can be rather strict or very loose requirements on the voting practices of the electoral college.

Here are a few links I found interesting:

If a state's electoral votes are based on population, they why not use the popular vote?!?! I'm interested in hearing some honest opinions here...

-Dan