The electoral college functions in presidential elections in the U.S. by allocating electors to each state based on their congressional representation. Voters cast ballots for electors pledged to a candidate, and the candidate with a majority of electoral votes (at least 270) wins. This system was established to balance the influence of populous states against less populous ones, ensuring that smaller states have a voice in the election outcome. However, it can result in scenarios where a candidate wins the presidency without securing the popular vote, raising questions about representation and democratic legitimacy within the electoral process.