https://www.consource.org/document/james-madisons-notes-of-the-constitutional-convention-1787-7-25/
(Just reposting this for context.)
The Founders IMO gave great power over the Electors to the States.
Note
A. The document would have to meet with the States’ approval so the States were given as much power as could be done.
B. Those at the Convention could not decide on specifics of appointing Electors anyway.
The Constitution does NOT specify ‘freedom of conscience’ for the Electors. It says nothing. Though that power may be reasonably assumed, I admit, I’d like more details.
Shame there’s no record of the deliberations of the Committee of Detail
Not true. It says they meet to "vote by ballot." "Vote" implies choice. "Choice" implies freedom to choose.
The question devolves to why having Electors at all if the states could simply have written their desire directly to Congress?
What's the point of mandating that 55 people in California meet to vote on something that the state could simply order up by fiat? I argue that the state cannot order by fiat how anybody can vote, including Electors.
If they can, it's not a vote.
-PJ
Madison’s notes grew thin in August. It’s an incredible shame the convention didn’t hire a shorthand recorder. And as you relate, we really know nothing of the deliberations of the various committees.