Who elects the President and Vice President of the United States?

The President and Vice President of the United States are elected by the electors in the Electoral College. This system was established by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution, specifically in Article II, Section 1. When citizens cast their votes during the presidential election, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to support a particular candidate. These electors then meet after the election to formally cast their votes for President and Vice President.

This process was designed to balance the influence of populous states with less populous ones and to ensure a layer of deliberation in the election of the nation's leaders. The use of electors allows states to have a say in the outcome of the presidential election through the allocation of electoral votes, which are based on each state's representation in Congress. This combination of popular participation and state representation reflects the federal nature of the United States' political system.