Rather than abolishing the Electoral College, we would do well to return to the roots of the Constitution. Originally, people in an area would vote for a person, whom they likely knew personally, to represent them in their state's Senate or house of Representatives. The state's Congress would then elect or appoint the federal congressmen and the electoral delegation for their state.
(It is because of this method that our country is a republic, not a democracy. The Founding Fathers were quite clear on that matter, and it bothers me to hear our current elected officials, candidates and the general public refer to our country as a democracy rather than a republic.)
There is wisdom in such a system. People's votes counted because they were voting for someone they knew (or could easily get to know) and hopefully could trust to represent them. These elected state officials could be contacted rather easily and promptly regarding whatever issues might exist during their stay in office. The elected federal officials were accountable and beholden to the elected state officials who, in turn, were directly accountable and beholden to the local people. In this manner, every person's vote counted and every person's opinions expressed to state elected officials had an influence.
If a federal official failed to represent the local people, the state officials would not re-elect him. If a state official did not represent the local people or failed to appoint desirable federal officials, the local people would not re-elect him. This system provides for more representation than a democracy, with its popular vote, ever could. The same applies to the electoral delegation.
It's enlightening to understand that the way things are today is not the way things have always been in this country. I long for the way things were.
Doug Jenkins
Provo