How was the president elected according to the U.S. Constitution adopted in 1789?

The U.S. Constitution adopted in 1789 established the process of electing the president through an Electoral College system, which entails indirect election by electors. When citizens cast their votes for president, they are actually voting for a slate of electors pledged to vote for their chosen candidate. Each state has a certain number of electors equal to its total number of senators and representatives in Congress. These electors then meet to formally cast their votes for president, which are counted by Congress. This system was designed to balance the influence of populous states with smaller states and to create a buffer between the electorate and direct presidential election, reflecting the framers’ concerns about direct democracy.

This method of indirect election serves to incorporate both popular input and a layer of deliberation in choosing the nation's leader, which the framers believed would contribute to a more stable government.