Short Answer 
The criticisms of the Electoral College highlight that it concentrates influence in swing states, creates an imbalance in voter representation favoring smaller states, and undermines democratic values by allowing a candidate to win without the popular vote, leading to concerns about legitimacy and representation.
Step 1: Understanding Swing States
The Electoral College allows only a few *swing states* to significantly influence presidential elections while sidelining many others. This system can lead to outcomes where the votes from these key states matter more than those from states deemed “safe.” Candidates tend to focus their campaigns on these battlegrounds, neglecting the majority of the electorate in other states.
Step 2: Imbalance in Representation
One of the major criticisms is that the Electoral College creates an *imbalance* in voter influence across states. Smaller states receive more electoral votes relative to their population size compared to larger states, which means that individual votes in these smaller states carry more weight. This disparity leads to a system where not all voters are equally represented in presidential elections.
Step 3: Undermining Democratic Values
Critics argue that the Electoral College undermines *democratic values* as it can result in a candidate winning the presidency without securing the national popular vote. This creates a disconnect between elected officials and the actual will of the people, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the election outcomes. The system effectively marginalizes the voices of many voters, failing to provide true representation for the electorate as a whole.