Charmion, one additional weirdity is that states' ways of voting differ. In NH, we get a paper ballot, mark choices with a pen, and shove it into a locked box. The boxes are then transferred to Concord (state capitol) and counted. Other states have machines (NY, where my mother voted does), and possibly different ways of counting paper ballots.
Personally, the reason for the electoral college is toast, and it adds a layer in the process that only serves to complicate things.