For example, even with expanded absentee voting and early voting options, a significant number of Michigan residents still voted on Election Day. A snowstorm in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or even a heavy rainstorm in Detroit would depress voter turnout and cause the state to be underrepresented in statewide election results. Conversely, a hotly contested referendum question in Florida or a gubernatorial race in New Hampshire would tend to increase voter turnout and result in the state being overrepresented in the statewide popular vote.

To be fair, states should be represented proportionally to their population – and probably not just to their voter turnout. After all, those who cannot vote because of their youth, frailty or even institutionalization have a stake in the outcome. The people and not the referendum should decide.

In summary, adjusting Electoral College votes based on the state’s population and allocating votes to each state proportionally to the voting results is the best way to ensure a fair voting process. Instead of abolishing the Electoral College, I say we simply change its “curriculum.”

James Alan Fox is a research professor of criminology, law and public policy at Northeastern University. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we can publish it online and in print.