Final answer:
The principle of the Constitution protected by the Electoral College is federalism, which ensures that the interests of smaller states and less populated areas are represented in presidential elections. (option a)
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of the Constitution that is protected by the Electoral College when voting for the President of the United States is federalism. Federalism is the division of power between the national government and the state governments. This system protects the representative power of small states and less densely populated regions by providing them with a minimum of three electoral votes regardless of population size ensuring that their voices contribute to the outcome of presidential elections.
One early supporter of federalism, George Washington, warned about the dangers of political parties influencing the democratic process. The Electoral College was thus partly established to prevent a direct popular election that might be swayed by factions or political parties. This funding mechanism is now part of a complex political system where separation of powers and federalism creates distinct constituencies that any presidential candidate must satisfy, further emphasizing the significance of the Electoral College in the U.S. electoral system.