What is the function of the Electoral College in the United States?

The function of the Electoral College in the United States is to formally elect the President and Vice President. This system was established by the Constitution and involves a group of representatives, known as electors, who are chosen based on the popular vote in each state during the presidential election. The electors then cast their votes for President and Vice President, which officially determines the outcome of the election based on their votes.

This process was designed to balance the influence of populous states with less populous ones, ensuring that smaller states still have a significant voice in national elections. Each state has a number of electors equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives in Congress, which means every state has at least three electors.

The other options do not accurately reflect the role of the Electoral College. The approval of federal legislation is the responsibility of Congress, not the Electoral College. The U.S. Census is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and aims to count the population for representation and funding purposes. Selecting members of Congress is done through direct elections within each state, separate from the presidential election process.