Final answer:
A government where people vote for representatives or an electoral college is a representative democracy or republic, such as the United States, which values the protection of minority rights and operates with a system of checks and balances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of government where the people vote for representatives or an electoral college is known as a representative democracy, sometimes also referred to as a republic. In a representative democracy, citizens elect officials to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf. This is in contrast to a direct democracy, in which people vote directly on laws and policies. The United States operates under a representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives at local and state levels, and the Electoral College votes to determine the president.
Additionally, in a representative democracy like the United States, it is essential to protect the rights of minority groups against the potential tyranny of the majority. This is a key feature differentiating it from pure democracy, where majority rule is the only consideration. The checks and balances system between the executive, judicial, and legislative branches is another crucial aspect of this form of government.