Since our founding, the presidents have been elected by the Electoral College, as detailed in Article II of the United States Constitution. The Electoral College process was designed to protect the influence of the less populous states and prevent the possibility that a small number of the more populous states, a minority of the states, could determine who became president.

The members of the Electoral College from each individual state, the electors, are determined in some fashion by the individual state. The overall nationwide popular vote thus does not determine who is elected as president. Rather, it is the majority of the electors. On its surface, this may seem like an odd mechanism but it is actually ingenious. Again, its intent is to preserve the relevance of voters in more of the states.

The National Popular Vote Compact is an effort in recent years to change the process, but to do so without following the standard process of amending the Constitution. There are differing opinions on both sides of this contentious issue. How we elect our president is important, and it is vital that we voters understand the issue.

If you want to learn more about National Popular Vote, please attend the meeting of Fountain Hills AZ Tea Party on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the FHUSD Learning Center (Golden Eagle and Palisades). Admission is free and all are welcome. I hope to see you there.