the president but for an elector. someone smarter than themselves who then would vote for president of the united states when the electoral college met at a later date. that date was formalized in law in 1887 as the first monday after the second wednesday in december. in madison and hamilton's view, the electors were free to vote for whoever they wanted to vote for for president. they believed that back then, new york state's is 12 electors each, could and should make up their own mind as to who the next president should be. new york might produce four votes for one candidate, three for another candidate, three for another then two for another. they didn't want new york state's electors to get together and make a political deal to all vote for the same candidate. madison and hamilton became