During the United States presidential elections, we are inundated with propaganda that insists that we are doing our civic duty and voting to determine who will the next leader of our nation. The President of the United States is without a doubt the most influential person in our country. Of course, citizens must take the electoral process very seriously. Yet how much influence do voters in this democratic nation really have over such an important decision? Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the voting process that takes place during every election. This process does not necessarily include citizens of the United States and is known as the Electoral College. It is the Electoral College that is obstructing our country's democratic presidential election process and also calling into question its integrity. The Electoral College plays a vital role in the election of the President of the United States of America. First introduced in 1787, the founding fathers implemented this system to ensure a more efficient voting process (Soros). At that time, the Electoral College served a noble purpose and was actually the most efficient means of voting at a time when mass transportation and technology did not exist. By participating in this process, the cantons were able to send a representative to collectively vote for this area. The modern Electoral College still functions the same way and yet it fails to meet its modern purposes. This calls into question the democratic principles on which the United States was founded and could even operate illegally. Today, "forty-eight of the fifty states appoint (their) electors using a 'winner-takes-all' method of election" that is "not only undemocratic, but potentially illegal... middle of paper... Rpt. from “Distorted Reform: The Cure for the Electoral College That’s Worse Than What Ails Us.” Slate.com. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Internet. November 18, 2013.Ross, Tara. “The electoral college system is a brilliant constitutional device.” Federal elections. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rep. from “The Electoral College.” Federalist Society Online Debate Series. 2008. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Internet. November 7, 2013. Solomon, Burt. “What were they thinking?.” National Journal 32.47/48 (2000): 3662. Academic Research Premier. Internet. November 8, 2013. Soros, Jonathan. “It’s time to destroy the electoral college.” Wall Street Journal - Eastern Edition December 15, 2008: A17. Premier Academic Research. Internet. Nov. 8, 2013. “What is the Electoral College?” » The United States National Archives and Records Administration. Internet. November 18. 2013