- Every four years, we hear the words "Electoral College"

over and over again.

But we never talk about what a ridiculous,

and frankly undemocratic system it really is.

The Electoral College gives vastly more power

to different voters depending on what state

they live in.

- Bigger states.

- Nope, smaller states.

If your state has less people,

you have more power.

Not too may people live in Wyoming.

But they have three electoral votes,

or one for ever 135,000 voters.

California is packed with people,

but they have 55 electoral votes,

or one for every 411,000 voters.

And that's totally out of proportion,

because it means it takes three times as many Californians

to earn one electoral vote,

giving voters in Wyoming three times the power

in the Electoral College.

As a result of this system,

your vote could count for less

just because of where you live.

Infographics rule, right?

- Yeah, well, it does seem unfair,

but who cares if the Electoral College is kooky?

I'm kooky. I have two turtles.

- Okay, well, it gets worse,

because the Electoral College also creates

swing states.

- Oh, I love the swing states.

They make election night so exciting.

Kind of like when my turtles move a little.

- What? Exciting?

I think the fact that the entire election is determined

by just a handful of states

is really messed up.

For one thing, it means presidential candidates

can ignore almost the entire country.

Hello, America. I'm Adam Conover.

And I'm running for President of Florida,

Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

And boy, do I love Florida oranges,

Philadelphia cheesesteaks,

and whatever you people like in Ohio.

The rest of the country can go suck a big one!

- People in Ohio like Lebron James.

- Who? I don't know many actors.

Anyway, swing states have so much power,

that in recent elections, up to 80% of all the votes

cast in America had no impact on the outcome.

That includes your vote here in California.

- Well, some states are red states,

and some states are blue states.

That's the way America is.

- Actually, most states are pretty purple.

In 2012, over 3 million Texans voted Democrat.

- I love barbecue, Blake Shelton, and abortions, y'all.

- And almost five million Californians voted Republican.

- Surf's all, y'all.

You know what else needs to go up?

Border wall with Mexico, dude.

- If electoral votes were awarded proportionately,

in 2012, 16 of Texas's electoral votes would have gone

to Obama,

and 20 of California's would have gone to Romney.

But in our winner-take-all system,

anyone who wants to vote for their state's losing party

might as well just stay home.

- Oh, bummer.

- Okay, everybody, get out.

I can't listen to any more.

- How about we all vote?

- Wait, who are all these people?

- Oh, these are the electors.

They're the people who actually vote for President.

- I thought the Electoral College was just a name?

- Nope. When we vote, we're actually just picking

our state's electors.

Then, those electors get together and cast

their ballots for President.

- But who are they?

- Oh. Mostly retired politicians and party flacks.

- I'm the governor's rich cousin!

- Okay, Mr. Smarty.

That's just a technicality.

They have to vote for who we choose.

- Actually, in 24 states, they can vote

for whoever they want.

And that's happened over 80 times.

In 2004, an elector in Minnesota cast his vote

for someone named John Ewards.

Which was almost the name of John Kerry's

running mate.

- Did you mean John Edwards?

- Yes. I may have a drinking problem.

- That actually happened?

- That actually happened.

That elector's vote didn't go to John Kerry.

It went to the guy running for Vice President.

The Electoral College is such a bad system,

people have been trying to abolish it

for centuries,

but so far, it's been politically impossible.

- Okay. Well, thank you for the information.

I cannot believe our beautiful system

has become so messed up.

- Oh, no, the founding fathers

designed our system this messed up.

- Alright, hold on a minute, young man.

You do not talk about the founding fathers

like that.

They were brilliant men who fought hard

for my right to vote.

- Actually, the founding fathers didn't think

you should be able to vote at all.

Or me.

Or most Americans.

Let's go back in time and I'll prove it to you.

(screaming and electrical sparking)

Hey, I'm Adam from CollegeHumor.

If you like that clip, make sure to check out

my new show, "Adam Ruins Everything."

Tuesdays at 10PM on TruTV.

It's gonna ruin your Tuesday, but trust me.

The rest of your week will be fine.