text: what is the exact purpose of the electoral college? i know they participate in the final elimination process of the presidential candidates but besides that what else do the electoral college do and why is called college? is there some kind of meaning to the college part!! the college part always seem to confuse me!! their only purpose is to elect the president.  they usually go along with the majority of how their state votes.  a member of the electoral college has voted the opposite way before.