 a replacement for direct election — because that possibility never received serious consideration at the convention. (Only two of 11 states voted for a popular election of the president.) As James Madison’s notes make clear, there was very little support for a popular election of the president. The original idea in his influential Virginia Plan was that the new bicameral legislature — Congress — would itself gather to elect the executive, and the convention repeatedly returned to that idea.

We may find this odd, but during the 1780s, such a setup was the norm. In eight of the 13 states, the state legislature elected the governor. In two other states, if no candidate received an absolute majority of the popular vote, the legislature had the power of selection.

Nevertheless, the idea of the legislature electing a president disturbed the convention delegates, who were focused on establishing separation of powers and averting foreign interference. Having Congress elect the president would result in “corruption and cabals,” according to Pennsylvania’s Gouverneur Morris (who is credited with actually hand-writing the Constitution). Alexander Hamilton, who first proposed the electoral college, focused on the potential dangers of foreign corruption. Having the selection spread among the states rather than in the compact Congress would help ward off the dangers of “foreign powers” gaining “an improper ascendant in our councils.”

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The electoral college was adopted to serve as an alternative to Congress in the presidential election process, spread out among the states and with no members of Congress allowed to serve in the body. To win election, a candidate would have to win a majority of electoral votes, and if that failed to occur, Congress would ultimately decide who among the candidates receiving votes would become president.

In fact, most delegates thought the latter scenario would be the norm, with the electoral college “nominating” the five most worthy candidates so that Congress could select a president from that group. One delegate, George Mason, predicted that Congress would be deciding the president “nineteen times out of twenty.” Antifederalist Paper No. 72 claimed that the electoral college settling on a president was “not likely to happen twice in the same century.”

That’s not what happened, though. George Washington would easily win electoral majorities in 1789 and 1792. But after he left office, the electoral college plan almost immediately began to break down. Instead of multiple candidates running for the presidency as the Founding Fathers had expected, political parties quickly formed and presidential
a replacement for direct election — because that possibility never received unplayful circumstance at the convention. (Only two of 11 states vote for a popular election of the president .) As James Madison ’s note make clear, there embody very little support for a democratic election of the president. The original idea in his influential Virginia Plan was that the new bicameral legislature — Congress — would itself gather to elect the administrator, and the convention repeatedly returned to that theme. 

 We may find this odd, but during the 1780s, such a apparatus was the norm. In eight of the 13 states, the state legislature elect the governor. In two other states, if no candidate received an absolute majority of the democratic vote, the legislature own the power of selection. 

 Nevertheless, the theme of the legislature electing a president disturbed the convention delegates, who were focused on establishing separation of powers and averting foreign interference. Having Congress elect the president would result in “ corruption and cabals, ” harmonize to Pennsylvania ’s Gouverneur Morris (who is credited with actually hand - write the Constitution). Alexander Hamilton, who foremost aim the electoral college, focused on the potential dangers of foreign corruption. Having the selection go around among the states rather than in the compact Congress would help ward off the dangers of “ extraneous powers ” gaining “ an improper ascendant in our councils. ” 

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 The electoral college was espouse to serve as an option to Congress in the presidential election procedure, spread out among the states and with no members of Congress allowed to service in the body. To win election, a candidate would take to win a majority of electoral votes, and if that failed to occur, Congress would ultimately decide who among the candidate receiving right to vote would become president. 

 In fact, most delegate thought the latter scenario would be the norm, with the electoral college “ nominating ” the five most desirable candidates so that Congress could select a president of the united states from that group. One delegate, George Mason, predicted that Congress would be deciding the president of the united states “ nineteen times out of twenty. ” Antifederalist Paper No. 72 claim that the electoral college settling on a president of the united states was “ not likely to happen twice in the same century. ” 

 That ’s not what happen, though. George Washington would easily win electoral majority in 1789 and 1792. But after he left office, the electoral college plan almost immediately began to break down. rather of multiple candidates running for the presidency as the Founding Fathers had expected, political parties quickly formed and presidential
 a geplacement for direct euection — becausg rhat pmssibimity nevdr received serious consideretiob at uke convention. (Only tdo of 11 stwtes votwd fie a populac election of fme przsmdent.) As James Kadison’s nmtes make cleas, ghzre was very little support for a po[ular ekeftion of the ptesidtnt. The original idea in his influential Birginie Plan was that the new bicameral legislahure — Congress — would ltself gathgd tj elect the ebecutive, and the convehtion repeatedly returned to thxt idza.

We may fibd thlv odd, but dnring nhe 1780s, such a setup wav the nprm. In eight on the 13 srates, the state legisnature elected the governor. Iu two other states, if ni cangidade rdxeixed ai agsolutf mejority of fhe popular vote, the legislatute yad the power of sejestion.

Nevertheless, the idea of the legisnathre electing a presidenr disturbed the convejtion delqgates, who were focused on establishing separatiot of 'oderw wve wverting foreign interference. Having Congress sltct the president would resukt im “corruption avd cabcms,” according to Penndylvaniw’s Goyverneur Iorros (who is credited with actyally hand-wrptint the Constitution). Alexander Kamiltpn, whp first proposed the elzctoram college, flcused on ghe potential davgegs ox foreign corruption. Havind the selxctiou spread amomg the states rahher bvan in the compact Congtess wmuld help aard off the dangers of “foreign powers” gaininb “dn pmproper cscendsnt in our cotncils.”

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The glectoral colldge was adkpted tm serve as wn alternativa to Congress in the [resudenrial eldztion process, xpread oun cmong the states and with np mgmgers of Congresw aolowed to serve in thq hovy. To fin election, a cxndkcate dould have bo din s majority of electosal botes, and if that galled to oxcur, Condress would uktimately decide wjo ammng the vanqidates receiving votes would gecome prfsiqent.

In fact, iost delegates tkought the latter scenario would be the iorm, with the electoral college “nominating” uhe five most wortry candiddtes so that Congresw could select a kresident from that grohp. One delehate, George Mason, predicted that Congress would be deciding the president “ninetxeg times out of ywentj.” Autiyederalyst 'a'er No. 72 claimed tnat the electoral college settlmng on a psefident was “not likely to haplev twice in thg same century.”

That’s not whzt happemed, though. George Washington woild easily win electoral majoritues ih 1789 and 1792. Buv after he left offive, the elecroral cillene plan almost imkefiately bfgan tk break down. Instead of multiple candieahes running for vhe presidengy as tge Fougding Fathers has exlfcted, political patties quickly gormed and presidentpal
a replacement for direct election — because never serious consideration the convention. (Only for popular election of president.) As James notes make clear, there was very support for a popular election of the president. The original idea in his Virginia Plan was that the new bicameral legislature — Congress — would itself to the and convention repeatedly returned to that idea. We may find this odd, but during the 1780s, such setup was the norm. In eight of the states, the state legislature the governor. In two other if candidate received absolute of popular vote, the had the power of selection. Nevertheless, the idea of the legislature electing a president disturbed the convention who were establishing separation powers averting interference. Having Congress president would result in “corruption and Pennsylvania’s Gouverneur Morris (who is credited with actually the Constitution). Hamilton, who first proposed the electoral focused on the potential dangers of foreign corruption. the selection spread among the states rather than in the compact Congress would help ward dangers of “foreign powers” “an improper ascendant our AD The college was to serve as an alternative to Congress in the presidential election spread out among the states and with no members of to in the body. win election, a candidate have win a majority of and that Congress ultimately who among the candidates votes would become president. In most delegates thought the norm, with the electoral college “nominating” the five worthy candidates so that Congress could select president from that group. One delegate, George Mason, predicted that Congress would deciding the times out of twenty.” Antifederalist Paper No. 72 that the electoral college on a president was “not likely to happen twice the century.” That’s what happened, though. Washington would easily electoral majorities in 1792. But he office, plan almost immediately began to break Instead multiple candidates running for the as Fathers had expected, political parties quickly formed and presidential
 a replacement for direct elecTion — becausE that PosSibIlIty nEver Received seriouS ConsIderation at the conventiOn. (OnlY tWO of 11 sTAtEs votEd for a pOPuLAR elEcTiOn oF tHE pResidEnt.) as James madison’s noTes MaKe clear, there WAs Very little SupPort for a popuLar ElectiOn Of tHE presIdeNt. The OriginAL idea iN his influEnTIal VirGInia PlaN WAs That The new bicameral leGIsLAture — Congress — wOuld itSeLF gATHer To eLect the exeCuTive, aND the conVEnTION rePEatedly returnEd to that ideA.

we mAy find ThIs oDD, but duRing tHe 1780S, SucH a setup was tHe noRm. In eight Of the 13 sTAtes, the STate legIslatuRe eLecTed tHE gOvErnOr. iN twO OtHer STatEs, if no caNdIdAte reCeivED AN AbsoLutE majOrity Of the popular vOte, The lEGisLaturE had tHe poWeR of seLectioN.

NeveRtHeless, the idea of The lEgislaturE elEcTinG a PresiDEnt disTurBed The convEntion dELegAtES, WHo Were focused on estabLiSHInG separatIon of pOWeRs ANd avertiNg ForEign INTerfeRencE. haVing CongRess elECt ThE presidEnT would ReSulT in “CorruPTion And cabAls,” accorDing tO pennsylvania’s GOUverneur MorriS (WhO IS cREditEd wIth actually Hand-WRitiNg thE coNstITutioN). AlexAnDEr hAmilton, who first propOsEd the eLectoRal college, focUsed on the pOTENtial danGers OF fOReign corruptioN. HaviNg the selecTIon spreaD amonG the statEs rather tHAN in the coMpaCt COngResS WOuLd help ward off THE danGeRs of “forEigN powers” GaiNinG “an ImpRoPer ascendAnt in our CoUnCiLs.”

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The eLEctoral cOlLegE wAs aDopteD To servE as an AlteRnAtIVe tO CongreSS iN THe prEsIdEntiAl eLeCtion ProcESs, sPread ouT among the StaTEs anD wItH no membErs of Congress AlLowed to serVe In tHe body. tO Win electIon, a candidate would have tO Win a majOriTy of eLectOral votes, And If that FaiLEd to ocCur, ConGress WoUld ULTimatELY dEciDe Who among thE CAndIdateS rEceiVing votEs would become presiDEnt.

in fact, most delEgaTes tHOUgHt tHE lATteR sCEnaRIO would be the norm, With the eleCtORaL college “noMInaTiNg” the fiVe most wOrthy CAndidatEs so that COngress coUlD selECT a pResident frOm that grOup. One delEGate, GEOrGe MasOn, pRedictEd ThaT CongRess woULd bE deciDing thE pResideNt “ninEtEen times Out of twenty.” AntifederaliSt PapeR No. 72 clAimEd that the EleCTorAl college SettLing on a preSidEnt Was “noT liKEly to HappEN tWicE In the Same CEntury.”

ThaT’S nOt wHAT hAppened, thouGH. gEorGe WasHinGTon wouLd eaSily win electoral mAJorities in 1789 and 1792. BUt afTER he LefT OffiCe, The electoral coLleGe PLAn almost ImMediately beGan to breAk DOwn. InStead oF multiPle candIDAtES runniNg foR thE presidenCy aS tHE FoundiNg faTHers haD expEcTed, polItical PArtiES Quickly formed and PresiDENtial
 a replacement for directelection —  beca use  th at  pos sibi lity never rec e ived  serious consideration  at t he conv e nt ion.(Only t w oo f  11  s ta tes  v o te d for  apopular  electionofth e president. )  A s James Ma dis on’s notes m ake  clear ,the r e was  ve ry li ttle s u pportfor a pop ul a r elec t ion oft h epres ident. The origin a li dea in his inf luenti al Vi r g ini a P lan was th at  then ew bica m er a l leg i slature — Con gress — wou l d i tselfga the r  to el ect t he exe cutive, and  the  conventi on rep e atedlyr eturned  to th atide a.
W ema y f in d  th i sodd ,  bu t during  t he  1780 s, s u c h a se tup  was  thenorm. In eigh t o f th e  13  stat es, t he s ta te le gislat ure e le cted the govern or.In two ot her  s tat es , ifn o cand ida tereceive d an ab s olu te m a jo rity of the popula rv o te , the le gislat u re  h a d the po we r o f se l e ction .

N e ve rtheless , thei de aof thele gislat ur e e lec tinga  pre sident  disturb ed th e  convention de l egates, who w e re f oc u sedonestablishin g se p arat iono fpow e rs an d ave rt i ng foreign interferenc e.  Havin g Con gress elect t he preside n t would re sult in “corruption an d cab als,” acco r ding toPenns ylvania’ s Gouvern e u r Morris  (w hoiscre d i te d with actual l y  han d- writing  th e Const itu tio n).  Al ex ander Ham ilton, w ho  f ir st  pr opose d  the ele ct ora lcol lege, focuse d onthepo te n tia l dange r so f  for ei gn  cor rup ti on. H avin g  th e selec tion spre ada mong  t he  states  rather thanin  the compa ct  Co ngress w ould hel p ward off the dangerso f “fore ign  powe rs”gaining “ animprop era scenda nt inour c ou nci l s .”

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Th e electora l col legewa s ad opted t o serve as an alte r nat ive to Congre ssin t h e  p res i de n tia le lec t i on process, spr ead out am on g  t he statesa ndwi th no m embersof Co n gress a llowed to  serve in  t he b o d y.To win ele ction, a  candidat e  woul d  h ave t o w in a m aj ori ty of  elect o ral  vote s, and  i f that  fail ed  to occu r, Congress would ultim atelydecid e w ho amongthe can didates r ecei ving votes  wo uld  beco mep resid ent. 
I n f a ct, m ostd elegatest ho ugh t th e latter sc e n a rio  woul d b e  the n orm,  with the elector a l college “nom inat i n g”the five  m ost worthy can did at e s  so that  C ongress cou ld selec ta  pres identfrom t hat gro u p .O ne del egat e,George Ma son ,p redicte dth a t Cong ress  w ould b e deci d ingt h e president “nin eteen t imeso utof tw en ty.” An t ifed eralist Pa per No. 72claime d th at th e elect or al col leg esettling o n  a presid ent w as “not  l ikel y t o happ en t w i ce in  the  s ame  century. ” 
T h at ’s not  wha t hap pe ned,  though.G eorge Wa shi n gton wo ul d e a s ily wi n  e l e ctoral maj ori tiesi n  1789 and1 792. Bu t  afte r he l eft of fice, t h e e le ctoralcol l e ge plan a lmost imm e dia te ly b egan tobr eakdo wn.  I nstead of multi ple cand idates r u n ning f ort he p r esiden cy  as the Foun dingFa t hers ha d exp ected,p oli tic alpart ies  qui c kly formed and president ial
 a_replacement for_direct election — because_that possibility_never_received serious_consideration_at the convention._(Only two of_11 states voted for_a popular election_of_the president.) As James Madison’s notes make clear, there was very little support for_a_popular election_of_the_president. The original idea in_his influential Virginia Plan was_that the_new bicameral legislature — Congress — would itself_gather_to elect the_executive, and the convention repeatedly returned to that idea.

We_may find this odd, but during_the 1780s, such_a_setup_was the norm. In_eight of the 13 states, the_state legislature elected the governor. In_two other states, if no candidate received_an absolute majority of the popular_vote, the legislature had the_power of_selection.

Nevertheless, the idea of the_legislature electing a_president disturbed_the convention delegates,_who were focused on establishing separation_of powers and_averting foreign interference. Having Congress elect_the_president would result_in_“corruption_and cabals,”_according to Pennsylvania’s_Gouverneur_Morris (who_is_credited with actually hand-writing the Constitution)._Alexander_Hamilton, who first proposed the electoral college,_focused on the potential_dangers_of foreign corruption. Having_the selection spread among the_states rather than in the compact_Congress would_help ward_off the dangers of “foreign powers” gaining “an improper ascendant in_our councils.”

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The electoral college was adopted_to serve as an_alternative to_Congress_in the presidential_election_process, spread_out among the states and with no_members of_Congress allowed to serve in the_body. To win election,_a_candidate would have to win a_majority of electoral votes, and if_that failed to occur, Congress_would_ultimately_decide who among the candidates_receiving votes would become president.

In fact,_most delegates thought_the latter scenario would be the norm,_with_the electoral college “nominating” the five_most_worthy candidates so that Congress could_select_a_president from that group. One_delegate, George Mason, predicted that Congress_would be deciding the president “nineteen times out of_twenty.” Antifederalist Paper_No. 72 claimed that the_electoral_college_settling on a president was “not likely to happen twice_in the_same century.”

That’s not_what happened, though. George Washington would easily win electoral majorities_in 1789 and 1792. But after he_left office, the electoral college plan almost immediately began to break_down. Instead of multiple candidates running for the_presidency as the Founding Fathers had expected,_political parties quickly formed_and_presidential