Remove the Electoral College from the election process

Votes do not matter in states that always lean democrat or republican. The people do not choose their president, the electoral college does. We should expand our democracy and allow each person to have equal say in their vote. People are discouraged to vote and feel misrepresented in their state. An election solely based on popular vote will encourage more people to go vote. A New York republican's vote will be just as important as a Montana democrat's vote. The electoral college was created out of fear that a tyrant can manipulate public opinion and come to power. I think more trust should be given to Americans when deciding their president.