The votes are then sealed and transmitted from each state to the President of the Senate who, on the following January 6, reads them before both houses of Congress. Two hundred years ago, our country was composed of thirteen large and small states jealous of their own rights and suspicious of central government, and the population of 4 million people was spread up and down a thousand miles of Atlantic seaboard barely connected by transportation or communication. These conditions have changed dramatically. We are now a country of 50 states, with instant communications and a mass media to satisfy the needs of a national political campaign. Recognizing the strong regional interests that play a political role, no one region can amass sufficient electoral votes to elect a president.
Candidates have an incentive to form coalitions of states and regions.
Requiring a distribution of popular support outweighs the value that may attach to obtaining a majority of popular support. Minority interests are also protected by the electoral college system. This same principle applies to other special interest groups such as union members. Changing to direct election of the president might damage minority interests should their votes be overwhelmed by a national popular majority. Proponents also argue that the electoral college contributes to political stability by encouraging a two-party system.