Final answer:
The Electoral College resolved the conflict between federalism and popular sovereignty by granting states influence over the presidential election through appointed electors while still reflecting the people's vote to some degree.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Electoral College was established to address the conflict between federalism and popular sovereignty by creating a buffer and allowing a role for state legislatures in choosing the national executive leadership. This compromise allowed states to have a say in the election process through appointed electors, without putting the entire decision in the hands of the legislature or the direct vote of the people. The Electoral College's design provides a balance between giving power to the individual states and the people, reflecting both federalist principles and concerns over direct democracy.
Each state is assigned a number of electors equal to its representation in Congress, thereby ensuring that all states have influence proportional to their size without directly tying the presidency to the popular vote. States can decide how their electors are chosen, which gives the states substantial control over the process. Originally, this system was also seen as a way to filter the electoral decision through a group of individuals who could make informed choices, mitigating the risks that framers of the constitution saw in a direct election by an uninformed public.