While that may be the fundamentals of the definition of democracy, we are a republic.  In a republic, you elect others who then vote on your behalf.  The electoral college votes on behalf of the citizens of their state.  That is how we are set up in the Constitution. Period.  Yes, sometimes the candidate with more votes loses.  It must be that way to maintain a balance between the states.  Otherwise, any state other than NY and CA will have no representation.  The founders were brilliant enough to realize that any state having a monopoly will destroy other states and the republic for which the Constitution stands.  It is the opposite of what you are saying.  No, your vote will not count more in one place than another.  It will only count against or with others in your state, which then determines how your electoral college vote will go.  That gives states the power provided by the Constitution.  If you stop and think about it more, it's brilliant.