Electoral College Reform Article

Facts:

1. Voters are often unaware, but the president is not directly elected by the people; they are elected by electors. 
2. Election Day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
3. The electoral college has a great influence over the character of parties, the nominating process, and the outcome of the presidential election. 
4. Each state has a number of electoral votes equal to its membership in Congress.
5. There is a total of 538 electoral votes.
6. The electoral college usually undermines third parties, which are unlikely to win the majority of electoral votes.
7. In the case Baker v. Carr, the Supreme Court declared that one person-one vote must prevail at the state and local level (not federal).
8. The electoral college triples political power of voters in the seven least populous states that elect just one member of the House.
9. In addition, the electoral college doubles power of six other states that elect two members of the House.
10. About 700 amendments were proposed and introduced in Congress over the last two centuries.

Questions:

1. Why don't third parties get as many electoral votes?
2. Have any third parties come close to winning the majority of votes?
3. If the electoral college were to be reformed, who has the power to do this?
4. Do other countries use a similar method as our electoral college?
5. How can the electoral college be reformed to satisfy those wanting to get rid of it?

My Opinion: I think the electoral college system should be reformed so that the people have a more direct voice in choosing the President of the United States. Many may be unaware that their votes go to electors, and not the candidate themselves. The electoral college system should be reformed because, obviously, there is much room for error, though I do not think it should be completely removed because bringing a completely new voting system may bring our country to chaos, if many are not satisfied with such a quick, radical change.