How many times did the original electoral college work effectively, according to historical records?

The original electoral college is historically understood to have worked effectively in the presidential elections of 1789 and 1792. In these elections, the process operated as intended, with electors meeting in their respective states to cast votes for President and Vice President. In 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected as the first President, and in 1792, he was re-elected, again receiving unanimous support from electors.

After these early elections, the electoral college system encountered increasing challenges and complexities, notably due to the rise of political parties and changes in voting practices. These evolving political dynamics led to complications in the electoral process, ultimately leading to a lack of effectiveness as the system began to reflect partisan divisions rather than the original intent of the framers.

Therefore, when considering when the electoral college worked effectively, it is recorded that it functioned successfully during those first two elections, making the answer of twice the most accurate choice based on historical records.