How many dead people have been found voting for people? How many ballots in trunks of peoples cars last couple years?

These are election security issues, none of which are unique to a popular vote. They can happen and have happened under our electoral collage. So this is a moot point.

and populous states and cities controlling everything while completely taking a voice from the rest of the country

That's not how it works. All votes are counted equal regardless of who they are or where they are from under a popular vote. Neither cities or land votes, only people do and the system should reflect that.

The rest of the country would actually get a say under a popular vote unlike with the electoral college. Most people don't live in a city in a swing state, which is the only place politicians cater to.

Given that the popular has only been overridden twice in two decades, it’s hardly a bitching point.

That's not the point though. The point is that all votes should be counted equally.

And if you live in a state that is solidly blue/red then your vote is essentially meaningless. Nobody should get a bigger voice from living in a swing state, it should be everyone's voice.