The role of the Electoral College in U.S. presidential elections is to formally elect the President and Vice President. Established by the Constitution, the Electoral College consists of 538 electors, with each state allotted a number of electors based on its representation in Congress. During the election, voters cast their ballots for their preferred candidate, and the majority of the electors in each state typically pledge to support that candidate. This system can lead to scenarios where a candidate wins the presidency without securing the majority of the popular vote, highlighting debates about representation and democracy in the electoral process.