When was that election held before the American Revolution?
Before the nation was established as a Democratic Republic? Perhaps you don't recall, but representatives from each State were sent to Philadelphia to vote on the question of Independence.
"The declaration was signed by representatives from New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. "
Once they had established a Democratic Republic, elections became the normal way to handle issues of significant importance to a state.