ABSTRACT
In the 1780s, there was an extensive public debate of the proposed US Constitution by the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. During the ratification debates, the impression that the Electoral College escaped censure was encouraged by Federalists. The historical record will show Anti-Federalist criticisms of the Electoral College were not lacking, that some arguments were prophetic historically and still others echo today's criticisms. Of criticisms leveled against the Electoral College, the most prominent reflected a typical Anti-Federalist critique of the Constitution. A critical evaluation of the Electoral College at the founding must begin with the Constitutional Convention. Criticism would have occurred if the Electoral College and the presidential selection process had been offered as an amendment to the Articles of Confederation. Before James Wilson proposed popular election, presidential selection by the national legislature was already on the table at the Convention.
