In the Senate debate on the 12th Amendment on December 2, 1803, Senator Uriah Tracy from Connecticut Actually uses the word nominate when he defends the function of the Electors in the original form of the Electoral College plan as specified in Article II of the Constitution.
Nothing can be more obvious, than the intention of the plan adopted by our Constitution for choosing a President. The Electors are to nominate two persons, of whom they cannot know which will be President; this circumstance not only induces them to select both from the best men; but gives a direct advantage into the hands of the small States even in the electoral choice.
The Founders’ Constitution Volume 5 contains more details on the debate in the Senate on the 12th Amendment.* This information is available online. To read more of the debate press the “Study” button below
-* the Senate debate
