What method did state legislatures originally use to choose electors?

State legislatures originally selected electors directly as part of the electoral process established by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution. This method was intended to give state legislatures a significant role in the selection of electors for the Electoral College, which then cast votes for the President and Vice President. The rationale behind this approach was rooted in a desire to balance the influence of the population with that of the states, ensuring that the states retained substantial power in the federal system.

The direct selection of electors by state legislatures reflected a time when the framers were wary of direct democracy and the potential for mob rule. By allowing legislatures to choose electors, the system aimed to ensure that those elected to the presidency would be individuals who had garnered the support of the state's political leadership. Over time, this method of selection evolved, and most states shifted to a popular vote system for choosing electors, reflecting changes in public attitudes towards democracy and representation.