When was the electoral college established?

The Electoral College was established in 1787 as part of the United States Constitution, which was drafted during the Constitutional Convention that year. The framers of the Constitution devised the Electoral College as a compromise between electing the president by a vote in Congress and by popular vote. This system was designed to balance the influence of populous states with less populous ones, ensuring that all states have a role in the election of the president.

The year 1787 is significant as it marked the foundation of the federal government structure, allowing for a method to elect the president that aimed to reflect both the will of the people and the interests of the states. This decision illustrates the framers' intent to create a republic that would endure through varying political perspectives while maintaining a system of checks and balances.

The other years listed, such as 1776, are related to the Declaration of Independence and the founding ideology of the nation, but do not pertain to the establishment of the Electoral College. The year 1790 does not reflect any significant event regarding the electoral process, nor does 1803 relate to the foundational decisions of the Electoral College structure, making 1787 the appropriate and historical choice.