Student:

 

We are definitely in a way, a democracy. There is no doubt about it, and saying that we are not a democracy is quite a bold statement. You should look in the mindset that we aren't exactly "one person, one vote" but instead you should look at how we are all a unified voter in each state, and we ABSOLUTELY still get a say in our elections and other voting processes. We have in fact IMPROVED our democracy making it more efficient than just counting MILLIONS of votes. Each state and the people on those states now get a say in the election as a whole and everyone works together on the state decision, and the electoral colleges process this all for us in the voting process. The electoral college will always take the "winner" of the state and put all their votes towards that candidate. 

(Source Of my own for above) https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

 

This is the main reason that presidents and other government officials will campaign in each state so they can be sure to win the whole states favor, not just one or two people. Sometimes, if they feel like they have already won the state, the candidates will not even campaign or visit that state because they already know they will receive enough votes to win over the electoral college. Campaigning helps so other parties can get a chance to see a candidate in person and hear them out in some of their policies and possibly give them a chance. 

 

These campaigns that people run are funded by donations, fundraisers, and personal contributions to the effort. This is why you see many state officials reaching out to other states for donations and money to fund their state wide campaign to be more present over their competition. Candidates also can be funded by Super PACS. Super PACS are large organizations that are allowed to raise an UNLIMITED amount of donations and money to fund the person that the Super PAC is backing. These are somewhat controversial because it is not really allowed for large companies or similar things to FUND a campaign, so Super PACS kind of slide by this rule and it makes things difficult when one candidate is backed bt Super PACS but the other one isnt. However, funding is still great and gets the candidates moving and talking. This allows many people to choose who they want to be the bigger presence, making our democracy even stronger!