By Stephen Zogopoulos, USNN World News
The Founding Fathers of the United States established the Electoral College as a compromise during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. They faced the challenge of creating a system for electing the President that would balance the interests of smaller states with those of larger states, and also address concerns about the potential dangers of direct popular vote.
There were several reasons behind the creation of the Electoral College:
- Balance of power: The Founders wanted to strike a balance between the interests of smaller states and larger states. They recognized that a purely popular vote system could give disproportionate influence to more populous states. By incorporating the Electoral College, they sought to provide smaller states with a degree of influence and prevent larger states from dominating the election process.
- Separation of powers: The Electoral College serves as an intermediary body between the people and the selection of the President. The Founders wanted to maintain a separation of powers and avoid a direct concentration of power in the hands of the people. The Electoral College allows for the selection of electors who then cast their votes on behalf of the people.
- Checks and balances: The Electoral College was designed to act as a check on the potential influence of a charismatic or unqualified candidate. Electors were expected to exercise independent judgment and evaluate the candidates’ qualifications and character before casting their votes. The Founders believed that this would help prevent the election of an unfit or dangerous individual.
- Federalism: The Founding Fathers envisioned a federal system where power would be divided between the national government and the states. The Electoral College reflects this federalist principle by incorporating the states as key participants in the presidential election process. Each state is allocated a certain number of electors based on their representation in Congress, combining the number of senators and representatives.
It’s important to note that the Electoral College has evolved over time through constitutional amendments and state laws. However, the underlying principles behind its creation still shape its role in the modern election system.
