How did the Electoral College come to be and why is it still in use?”
In Federalist no. 68 Alexander Hamilton provides the explanation for the electoral college. The basic idea is that the election of a national leader should not be left to the whims and passions of the general public. After all, the general public elects their representatives directly. As he puts it: “It was equally desirable, that the immediate election should be made by men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station, and acting under circumstances favorable to deliberation, and to a judicious combination of all the reasons and inducements which were proper to govern their choice. A small number of persons, selected by their fellow-citizens from the general mass, will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to such complicated investigations.” Another argument for the use of electors is the stabilizing effect this would have: “The choice of SEVERAL, to form an intermediate body of electors, will be much less apt to convulse the community
