Final answer:
Each state's elector count in the Electoral College equals its number of Senators and Representatives. This system helps small states by guaranteeing at least three electors, protecting their influence in presidential elections and maintaining the federal balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of electors in the Electoral College for each state is based on the total number of Senators (two for every state) and Representatives in the House (which varies based on population). Small states have a minimum of three electors, while larger states like California have as many as 55.
This system benefits small states by ensuring that each state has a minimum level of representation in presidential elections, and promotes the principle of federalism by giving smaller states a proportional influence that might otherwise be overwhelmed by more populous states in a purely popular-voting system.
The Electoral College promotes a balance between densely and less densely populated areas by giving small states more proportional power, which could be important in preserving the principle of equal representation for states within the federal structure of the U.S. government.