The Electoral College in the United States serves as the mechanism for formally electing the president and vice president. Each state is allocated a number of electors based on its representation in Congress, and these electors cast votes following the popular vote outcome in their states. This system aims to balance the influence of populous states with less populated ones, although it has faced criticism for potentially disenfranchising voters. The Electoral College reflects the federal nature of the U.S. political system, contributing to the complexity and uniqueness of its electoral process.