The Electoral College significantly impacts presidential elections in the United States by determining how electoral votes are allocated. Each state has a certain number of electoral votes based on its population, and candidates must secure a majority (at least 270) to win. This system can create a disparity where a candidate can win the presidency without winning the nationwide popular vote. It means that candidates often focus on swing states, and this can lead to unequal campaign attention across the country, influencing overall election outcomes.