The Holy Roman Church was the first to use an indirect electoral college-type system. It continues to do so, as do the U.S.A. and ten other entities worldwide.
Thomas Jefferson felt the presidential choice must be protected from “well-meaning but uninformed people.” The founders argued for three weeks and presented 30 different methods to elect a president. Surprisingly, until 1804 and the 12th Amendment, the top two vote-getters became President and Vice President, no matter if they belonged to different parties. 
Ten countries have a Electoral College