State representation was much more important to the founders than it is to modern politicians. Senators were not directly elected by the people. States still have some of their own discretion on how they award electoral college votes and party delegates. The delegate process is very similar to the electoral college process, with states picking electors who traditionally follow how their state voted. But the convention delegate process is more democratic in a way. If the electoral college fails to vote a majority for a candidate, a smaller body of state representatives decides on the president. At the convention, the actual delegates continue re-voting until they find a majority consensus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_%28United_States%29
The Twelfth Amendment provides for what happens if the Electoral College fails to elect a president or vice president. If no candidate receives a majority for president, then the House of Representatives will select the president, with each state delegation (instead of each representative) having only one vote.
On four occasions, most recently in 2000, the Electoral College system has resulted in the election of a candidate who did not receive the most popular votes in the election.[6][7]
Thanks to both of you for expanding my background knowledge on party history.