This Day in History: , The First US Presidential Election.<br />January 7, 1789.<br />George Washington won <br />the election and was sworn <br />into office on April 30, 1789.<br />Washington was <br />elected through the first <br />demonstration of the U.S. <br />electoral college system.<br />Established by the U.S. Constitution, <br />today the system gives all American <br />citizens over the age of 18 <br />the right to vote for electors.<br />Voters cast their ballots to choose state <br />electors who, in turn, cast their vote for <br />the president and vice president.<br />In 1789, only white men <br />who owned property were <br />allowed to vote for the electors.<br />All 69 of the <br />electors voted unanimously <br />for Washington that year
