The Election of 1788

Electoral Process

The first presidential election in the United States, held in 1788, was a unique event that set the stage for future electoral processes. Gary Arndt explains that the election was not controversial, with George Washington's victory being a foregone conclusion 1. The election process was still in its infancy, with each elector in the Electoral College receiving two votes, leading to the Vice President being the runner-up in votes 2. This system revealed its flaws in later elections, prompting changes in how presidents and vice presidents were elected.

   

Articles of Confederation

Before the Constitution, the Articles of Confederation governed the United States, creating a weak central government. Gary Arndt highlights that the Articles lacked the power to levy taxes or regulate commerce, and there was no executive or judicial branch 3. This inefficiency led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the decision was made to establish a stronger central government with an executive branch, paving the way for the first presidential election.