In the Electoral College system each state is given a number of votes apportioned by their representation in congress, one for each member of the Senate and House, in most cases to be cast by electors as a lump sum all to the winner of the popular vote in their respective state. Although it is apparent the Electoral College is unjustly aligned with democratic principles, thinking more pragmatically it is important to recognize there are roadblocks to changing this practice. Most importantly the noted difficulty of amending the Constitution, which is the only way to permanently institutionalize a change to this process.
Regardless, there are ways around these difficulties. Namely, instituting a plan that awards the Electoral College votes proportionately to the popular vote. This would have the desirable democratizing effect without the burden of amending the constitution thanks to the fact that the apportioning of these votes is left to the States. The importance and relevance of each individual vote would increase under this proportional plan, and would further enhance participation in the election. States that have a predominant demographic such as Democratic Massachusetts discourage voting under the current plan. Voters with an opposing viewpoint, such as the marginalized Republican party of Massachusetts, know that their party does not have enough support to win a majority in the state without which they cannot obtain any electoral votes. Thus encouraging them to abstain from voting based on the premise that their vote does not receive its due apportionment of Electoral College votes and therefore has no effect on the outcome of the Presidential election.
