The differences between the Electoral College and the popular vote in U.S. presidential elections have sparked significant debate over fairness and representation. The two systems often lead to different outcomes because of the way each functions within the broader electoral structure. While the popular vote reflects the total number of individual votes cast by citizens, the Electoral College assigns votes based on state-by-state outcomes, which can sometimes yield results where a candidate wins the presidency without winning the majority of popular votes.

The Electoral College is a unique process outlined in the U.S. Constitution that indirectly determines the outcome of presidential elections. Instead of a single nationwide vote, each state is allocated a specific number of electoral votes. These votes are roughly based on the state’s population and its representation in Congress, with each state receiving electoral votes equal to the sum of its senators (always two) and its representatives in the House, which vary depending on population. This system currently provides a total of 538 electoral votes, and a candidate must secure a majority (at least 270) to win the presidency.

Regardless of the margin of victory, the candidate who receives the most votes in a state receives all of that state's electoral votes because most states employ a "winner-take-all" system. This can occasionally lead to differences between the popular vote and the Electoral College. A candidate might, for instance, lose by a slim margin in certain states yet win by wide percentages in others. Even if the candidate leads in national popular support, the slim losses lower their total number of electoral votes.

By creating the Electoral College, the Founding Fathers sought to strike a balance between a legislative selection and a solely popular election. It sought to ensure that smaller states continued to have a say in presidential elections by balancing the power of more and less populated states. Because the founders were concerned that stable government might not always coincide with popular mood, the system also reflected their concerns about direct democracy. But throughout time, worries about how well this structure reflects the will of the people have grown as a result of demographic changes and shifting political dynamics.

Throughout American history, the difference between the popular vote and the Electoral College has happened multiple times, most recently in recent elections. Al Gore earned more national popular votes in 2000, but George W. Bush won the presidency with more electoral votes. In a similar vein, Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016 despite Hillary Clinton's decisive victory in the popular vote. These incidents demonstrate how the Electoral College occasionally has the power to override the popular vote, sparking discussions on the impartiality of the system.