Answer:
1. According to Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., if the Electoral College of the United States was abolished, the collapse of the already weakened two-party political system would be fast tracked; resulting in multiplication of splinter parties. In his opinion, this would encourage single-issue ideologues (those who blindly support a particular idea or set of ideas) and eccentric millionaires to venture into the presidential race and make it difficult for major party candidates to win popular-vote majorities.
2. It can be important since it makes a big difference in a close race, and a mainstream candidate loses (or wins) when the majority normally would have elected the other one.
4. Splinter parties usually develop due to feuds between members of larger parties. A person doesn't share beliefs and opinions that the party is currently promoting and decides to break off and form their own party, called a splinter party.
5. Simply a body of electors established by the United States Constitution that helps electing the president and vice president of the United States