First, the arrangement of the electoral college is such that candidates format the thrust of their campaigns toward very specific states (Sahr, "Voters."). The most common campaign strategy consists of targeting three divisions of states: those that are easily winnable, those that remain undecided and so hold the possibility of a win, and those that are nearly impossible to win; therefore, candidates target their money and time accordingly (Sahr, "Clinton."). This means that individual voters in certain states are conceivably less educated about the policies of one or both candidates because the electoral votes of their state were deemed a foregone conclusion, and therefore a waste of campaign resources. For many critics, this trend exemplifies the inherent voter discrimination found within the electoral college system.
A second effect of the institutional arrangement of the electoral college is that "third party" candidates are at a severe disadvantage (Sahr, "Voters."). While these so-called splinter party candidates may receive a sizeable percentage of the popular vote, unless they can achieve a plurality within a state, they will not be recognized or represented in the electoral college. For example, in 1992 Ross Perot received 19% of the popular vote, but had no electoral representation (De Pangher). The effect on the third party voter is to fundamentally render their vote superfluous. At the same time, defenders of the electoral college maintain that the third party disadvantage is necessary in order to prevent undemocratic minority rule (EC). .
Third, the existence of the electoral college can have an effect on voter turnout (Sahr, "Voters."). In states that strongly and consistently support a certain party, the individual voter may not choose to vote because the outcome of the states plurality win is already determined. In .
the "winner-takes-all" system of the electoral college, one vote will have absolutely no impact on the states" choice for electoral representation, so less voters may attend the polls.
