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.