I’m not taking this further here. We’ve already been over this elsewhere.
I first responded here because I am in opposition to attempts to eliminate the Electoral College. My position is that the standard justifications for the Electoral College are incorrect; the Founders explained their reasoning, and it had nothing to do with urban-rural divide. It had everything to do with their understanding the dangers of mob rule, their trust in republics, and their assessment of the complex task of choosing a president.
We talk about the Electoral College as if the goal was the balance of power between states. However, the balance of power was determined separately, in the construction of the legislature. Indeed, the balance of power they had previously agreed upon could be respected in many ways without electors. The concept of the electors having agency was the whole point of the particular system.
I do not apologize for promoting ideas to enhance the agency of electors. That was the original intent. Our failure to implement the founders’ intent is a significant reason why people want to get rid of the Electoral College in the first place. Our ballots inherently promote a false narrative about the nature and rationale for presidential elections.