Why We Must Defend the Electoral College. Trent England

the same.

      One idea was that Congress could appoint the executive, but only electors chosen by states could renew the appointment. But the most bizarre proposal came from James Wilson, who suggested that members of Congress draw lots – actually, different colored balls out of a jar. The ones with the golden balls would be locked in a room until they chose a new president. In what may be the only joke recorded at the Constitutional Convention, Virginia’s George Mason remarked two days later that “a lottery has been introduced. But as the tickets do not appear to be in much demand … nothing therefore need be said on that subject.”

      The possibility of a direct election by the people came up again and again. It would keep the president independent and reduce the risk of corruption. On the other hand, how would the people know who was really fit to lead? This was not an aristocratic insult to the voters but a practical reality. In the 1790 census, the United States had fewer than 4 million people. Divide them into states and congressional districts, and many voters would have firsthand knowledge of their candidates for the House and Senate. Combine all the country’s voters, and the percentage with personal knowledge of presidential candidates would be very small.

       The selection process would need to produce a president of character and ability without making him beholden to other politicians.