Reasons we should stick with the Electoral College

Because of the 2000 election, many of us have lost faith in the electoral college.  Myself included would have been included in that until recently, when I had an opportunity to study this.  Should we amend the constitution and elect the president by popular vote, or stick with the electoral process that our founders designed and has been successful all but 3 times?  Below, I give a number of reasons why we should keep the system of the electoral college.

1. Gives fairer representation of the less populated states.
   
   • While the large states still dominate the electoral college, this is in no way as much as would occur in a popular vote. Montana, for example, which only has about 800k eligible votes, would be nearly statistically insignificant in a popular vote election compared to the 3 electoral votes they are guaranteed under the electoral college.
2. Provides a clear runoff plan if no majority.  (Congress elects)
3. Offers a two party stability as well as promoting strong parties.
   
   • Popular vote would promote many parties and most likely prevent the ability of a majority vote. Contrary to popular belief, a two party system offers a great deal of stability, as they act as checks and balances against each other. Some European democracies that elect with popular vote or multi-representative districts have over 40 parties. This prohibits the ability to have strong partisanship to balance the government.
4. Works for a large majority of our elections.
   • Congress has only had to select the president twice.
   • Popular vote has only not matched up with the electoral college results 3 times.
5. The indirect election of the electoral college helps protect from variances in voter law.
   • We have 50 states with 50 different flavors of voting laws. While this allows for states to sustain their power, it also would all too much variance in vote tabulation to verify a national popular vote count.

Overall, selecting by popular vote would threaten the stability of our democracy, as well as require a significant amendment of the constitution.  I seriously doubt 2/3 of congress and 3/4 of our states would ever ratify this if it were proposed.