Congressman calls Electoral College 'antiquated'

PEORIA- - Republican Congressman Ray LaHood is calling for a change in the way the nation chooses its president.

LaHood on Wednesday told junior high school students in Peoria millions of people will vote in the presidential election in November, but their vote won't really count because it's the Electoral College who will decide who the next president will be.

LaHood told about 130 students at Holy Family School the reason the Electoral College is used is because that's the way the Constitution is written. It was designed to protect small states. He called it an old, antiquated system that should be changed.

Illinois has 21 Electoral College votes. The votes often are given to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. However, a candidate who gets the most votes nationwide still may not win the presidency.