Reply #70: It was intended to offset the larger states [View All]

[LiberalFighter]

it is based on the makeup of each state's representation. Number of representatives plus number of senators.

As a balance against the House membership based on state population it was conceded that the Senate would each have two Senators so that large states such as New York would not dominate.

From that the electoral votes were devised to elect the President and Vice President. Most likely, it was considered a better method of determining the outcome of the election due to the time schedule and difficulty in compiling a true account of the votes. During that time the election was not held on the same day. Each state had the election on a different date and the time from the first to the last was about 5 to 8 month period. In addition, the citizens did not elect the president by direct election. They voted for state legislators that voted as a body for the president.