What argument is made regarding the stability of the two-party system in relation to the electoral college?

The argument that the electoral college encourages voter loyalty to established parties is rooted in the structure and functioning of the system. The electoral college assigns a set number of electoral votes to each state, which are won on a winner-takes-all basis in most cases. This format tends to favor larger, established parties, as voters often feel that supporting a smaller party is futile due to the low likelihood of that party winning electoral votes. As a result, voters are more likely to remain loyal to the two major parties—the Democrats and Republicans—because they perceive these parties as the only viable options for winning elections.

This loyalty is further reinforced by the perception that a vote for a third party is essentially a "wasted" vote, as it is less likely to influence the outcome of an election in the face of the two-party competition. Consequently, this dynamic contributes to the stability of the two-party system, as established parties maintain a strong voter base that is reluctant to shift allegiance to other parties. This phenomenon enhances the incumbency advantage and solidifies the political landscape around the dominant parties.

The other choices highlight different aspects of the political system. While fostering a diverse range of political ideologies and promoting competition among multiple parties might seem beneficial, they are less relevant in the