What is the primary purpose of the electoral college?

The primary purpose of the electoral college is to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. This system was established by the Constitution as a compromise between electing the President by a vote in Congress and by popular vote. When citizens cast their votes in a presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to vote for their chosen candidate. These electors then meet in their respective states to cast the official votes for President and Vice President. This process ensures that not only the popular sentiment of the electorate is reflected, but also that each state has a role in the selection of the nation’s leaders based on their population size and representation in Congress.

The other choices relate to distinct functions of government that do not pertain to the election of the President and Vice President. Amending the Constitution involves a different legislative process, federal law enforcement is managed by agencies and departments, and handling state legislative issues pertains to state governments rather than the federal electoral process.