The population basis would have been more reflective of the number of voters when the traditional family was standard and we didn't have overwhelming illegal immigration.
Now that you suggest it, I'd say that the total number of electoral college votes should be determined by the actual number of voters who participated in the actual election. That would be a sure way to increase participation.
Why are Congressional Districts apportioned based on total population? At first blush, it seems to me that it would be more appropriate to apportion them based on the number of eligible voters. i.e. 18+, non-felon citizens. Heck, maybe even base it on the number of registered voters, or the number of ballots cast in the previous election. But basing it on total population flummoxes me.
By basing it on total population, aren't we essentially encouraging States to increase their population by any and all means, legal or otherwise? Wouldn't it be better if we instead encouraged more citizens to vote?
What am I missing here? - Mark

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic