“...the electoral college was the means to ensure it was the states that elected the Executive.”
No, it was intended to keep the big states from controlling an election.
Why do you think the Left now hates the electoral college?
Throughout much of our history, the easiest way to get to a majority was via the big states. With big states out of play, smaller states are much more important.
I disagree. The Senate, with two senators from each state regardless of population, was to ensure that each state had equal representation. The Electoral college awards electors to states based upon the combined number of senators and representatives. That is why California has 55 electors and Montana has 3.