Was to create the illusion that the "people had the power." The Founding Fathers were very much anti-populous (as were most at the time). They honestly believed that each state's electors would vote for a "home state candidate," therefore preventing a majority win in the Electoral College. And this would throw the election into the House of Representatives.

At the time, no one imagined two parties would come to take power and effectively limit the choice to two candidates, which is why they thought no single person could win a majority.

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