<P> The Constitutional Convention in 1787 used the Virginia Plan as the basis for discussions , as the Virginia delegation had proposed it first . The Virginia Plan called for the Congress to elect the president . Delegates from a majority of states agreed to this mode of election . However , a committee formed to work out various details including the mode of election of the president , recommended instead the election be by a group of people apportioned among the states in the same numbers as their representatives in Congress ( the formula for which had been resolved in lengthy debates resulting in the Connecticut Compromise and Three - Fifths Compromise ) , but chosen by each state `` in such manner as its Legislature may direct . '' Committee member Gouverneur Morris explained the reasons for the change ; among others , there were fears of `` intrigue '' if the president were chosen by a small group of men who met together regularly , as well as concerns for the independence of the president if he were elected by the Congress . However once the Electoral College had been decided on , several delegates ( Mason , Butler , Morris , Wilson , and Madison ) openly recognized its ability to protect the election process from cabal , corruption , intrigue , and faction . Some delegates , including James Wilson and James Madison , preferred popular election of the executive . Madison acknowledged that while a popular vote would be ideal , it would be difficult to get consensus on the proposal given the prevalence of slavery in the South : </P>
<P> The Constitutional Convention in 1787 used the Virginia Plan as the basis for discussions , as the Virginia delegation had proposed it first . The Virginia Plan called for the Congress to elect the president . Delegates from a majority of states agreed to this mode of election . However , a committee formed to work out various details including the mode of election of the president , recommended instead the election be by a group of people apportioned among the states in the same numbers as their representatives in Congress ( the formula for which had been resolved in lengthy debates resulting in the Connecticut Compromise and Three - Fifths Compromise ) , but chosen by each state `` in such manner as its Legislature may direct . '' Committee member Gouverneur Morris explained the reasons for the change ; among others , there were fears of `` intrigue '' if the president were chosen by a small group of men who met together regularly , as well as concerns for the independence of the president if he were elected by the Congress . However once the Electoral College had been decided on , several delegates ( Mason , Butler , Morris , Wilson , and Madison ) openly recognized its ability to protect the election process from cabal , corruption , intrigue , and faction . Some delegates , including James Wilson and James Madison , preferred popular election of the executive . Madison acknowledged that while a popular vote would be ideal , it would be difficult to get consensus on the proposal given the prevalence of slavery in the South : </P>
when did the electoral college start in the united states
when did the electoral college start in the united states
1787
1787