Defenders of the Electoral College argue that it was created to combat majority tyranny and support federalism, and that it continues to serve those purposes. This stance depends on a profound misunderstanding of the history of the institution.
Mistake #1: Congress was to select the president.
Mistake #2: First, they feared that people would lack the information to make an informed choice as to who might be an appropriate candidate for the presidency or who might be the best choice among candidates.
Mistake #3: Similarly, some defenders of the Electoral College have argued that the delegates who favored the Electoral College opposed popular election of the president.
Mistake #4: Many people also believe that the Electoral College was designed to preserve federalism and states’ rights.
Mistake #5: And finally, perhaps the most widely believed and, at the same time, most incorrect of the arguments for the Electoral College is that it has vindicated the hopes and expectations of its creators.
All the details @ Five Common Misconceptions About the Electoral College
