Why We Need the Electoral College

Donald Trump’s election with fewer popular votes than Hillary Clinton has raised again the question of why the presidency is decided through an Electoral College and not a popular vote. Mr. Trump himself said in a recent interview said that a popular vote seems more sensible.

Many people who are currently calling for the abolition of the Electoral College, however, don’t realize the chaos that would result.

Two elements of the “Great Compromise” among the large and small states led to the ratification of the Constitution. A House...