When the framers of the Constitution founded the Electoral College system, they considered alternatives, including electing the president by popular vote, by a vote by Congress, or a vote of the state
legislatures. It was a time before the rise of political parties, when weak communications existed
between
different parts of the country, and they were concerned voters might not be able to make informed judgments
about national candidates. In addition, if many candidates ran for election, the victorious candidate
might
only have the real support of a small minority of voters.
framers were also concerned voters might be carried away by passions in a direct popular vote.
The framers decided against empowering Congress to elect the president, because this would interfere with
the division
of powers between the executive and the legislature. Moreover, having state legislatures elect the
president might disrupt the carefully drawn balance between state authorities and national leadership. The
Electoral College system was a compromise that enabled nationwide votes by the citizens in a way that
recognized state powers.
Opinion polls have shown that a majority of Americans believe that the winner of the popular vote
rather than the electoral vote should become president, but that a large minority (about 40% in the more
recent polls) still backs the current system.
Source: Maupin, Laura. The Electoral College. National Council for Social Studies, October 2008

Based on Source A, Laura Mauphin most likely believes which of the following?

1. The Electoral College system balances the power between the state and national governments.
2. The Electoral College system gives more power to state legislatures.
3. The Electoral College system was created to ensure that citizens vote directly for their President,
4. The Electoral College systems places more important on the popular vote.