Final answer:
In the passage, 'established' means 'First created,' referring to the origination of the Electoral College by the U.S. Constitution in 1789 to elect the U.S. President and Vice President. The correct answer is option A).
Step-by-step explanation:
In the passage referencing the Electoral College, the word 'established' means 'First created'. The Electoral College was established by the U.S. Constitution in 1789 as a system to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. This system involves a group of electors from each state who formally cast votes for these offices. The number of electors from each state is equal to its total number of Senators and House members, with an additional three electors representing the District of Columbia.
The Electoral College was designed to act as a buffer between the general population and the selection of the President, with electors serving as mediators in the voting process. This system still operates today, although it has been a subject of debate and controversy throughout American history due to issues such as the difference between the popular vote and electoral vote outcomes.