Valitsijäkollegio

Valitsijäkollegio, often translated as "electoral college," is a system used in some countries to elect a president or head of state. Instead of a direct popular vote where the candidate with the most individual votes wins, the valitsijäkollegio involves a group of electors who are chosen to cast the final votes. These electors are typically chosen based on the outcome of popular votes within their respective regions, such as states or provinces.

The number of electors a region has is often determined by its population, though some systems may allocate a minimum number regardless of population size. When citizens cast their votes in a presidential election, they are technically voting for a slate of electors pledged to a particular candidate. Once elected, these electors convene and cast their ballots for president. In most systems employing a valitsijäkollegio, the candidate who wins the popular vote in a region receives all of that region's electoral votes, a practice known as the "winner-take-all" system.

The primary purpose behind establishing a valitsijäkollegio is often to ensure that less populated areas have a voice in the election and to promote broader representation across different regions of a country. It can also serve as a buffer, preventing a candidate from winning the presidency solely by dominating densely populated urban centers while neglecting rural or less populated areas. However, this system can also lead to situations where a candidate wins the presidency without winning the national popular vote, a controversial outcome that has occurred in several historical elections. Debates about the fairness and democratic legitimacy of the valitsijäkollegio continue in countries that utilize it.