1. Why did the Founding Fathers include the Electoral College for the election of the President? They hoped to become like Greece and Rome. They were concerned about the election of an imperial president and used the Electoral College as another check and balance on the power of the federal government and to protect states rights. They wanted only a few people to choose the presidency so they could maintain all the power of the office. They wanted the President to be elected by popular vote.

The Founding Fathers included the Electoral College as a compromise between direct popular votes and congressional election of the President. They worried that a pure democracy could lead to 'mob rule' where populous states overshadowed less populous ones, so they aimed to balance power between the larger and smaller states. This system was a reflection of their desire to ensure that all regions of the new nation had a voice in the selection of their leader. This controversial system has sparked debates ever since its inception, especially regarding its impact on presidential elections. For example, in some cases, candidates have won the presidency while losing the popular vote, as seen in elections like 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016. The Electoral College continues to be a hot topic in discussions about electoral reform and democracy in America!