The Founding Fathers Didn’t Trust the Public—And Built a System to Reflect That But Is It Working?
The EC was designed to gate keep the presidency from the masses. It was also a compromise. Our founding fathers couldn’t agree on whether the president should be elected by Congress or by popular vote—so they settled on something in between. And while today’s debate about abolishing the Electoral College is heated, I want to take it back to the 1700s.
Back then, hundreds of white men—racist white men– came together to debate every single aspect of how this country should function. While racism, slavery, and political compromises between the North and South played huge roles in shaping the Electoral College, one thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is this: a lot of them didn’t want “uneducated” people voting.
Let’s be clear: they didn’t trust the general public. They feared the uneducated masses could be swayed by emotion, manipulation, or charismatic demagogues. Some of the founders straight-up didn’t believe the average person had the knowledge or independence to make rational political decisions. So they built a buffer between the people and the presidency.
Mob Rule, Education Filters, and Property Ownership: Who Deserved to Vote?
Here’s some of the idea’s behind this:
- Fear of mob rule: The founders worried that regular people—especially poor, uneducated folks—would vote based on passion or lies rather than logic or national interest.
- Education as a filter: People like Jefferson and Madison believed education was necessary to preserve democracy. Jefferson once said education was essential for a government that derives “its just powers from the consent of the governed.”
- Property requirements: Early on, voting was limited to white male property owners. The idea was that landowners had a stake in the country’s stability and were less likely to make reckless choices.
- The Electoral College: Instead of trusting a raw popular vote, they created a system where electors—often more educated or connected—would cast the real votes for president.
The Modern Parallels: Uninformed Voters
As much as we can (and should) criticize the Founding Fathers, they maybe had a point? A point that made sense in the 1700s—and one we’re still grappling with in 2025. However, the same way they tried to prevent certain circumstances we’re watching their worries unravel as uneducated, misinformed masses support a man who’s turning the country into a mess.
The Rural Advantage
And with the way the EC is setup, we get hit with a double whammy. Smaller, more rural states—less people, more land—have more influence than larger, densely populated, diverse cities. On top of that, urban areas in the U.S. have higher concentrations of college-educated residents compared to rural ones.
The Electoral College makes sense in theory—setting aside the racism baked into its foundation. It reflects our federal system where states control their own elections. But the numbers no longer match reality.
Without Civic Education, Democracy Will Always Be at Risk
Education is subjective, but if the majority of voters aren’t being taught how power works, how propaganda spreads, or how policies actually impact their lives, what kind of future are we voting for? Until we treat civic understanding like a national priority instead of an optional privilege, this uphill battle isn’t just long—it might be endless.
