I actually can’t remember the argument for winner take all.

Founding Father hated direct democracy like Athens during the age of Pericles. Hence the electoral college.

Regarding contested elections if no one gets 270 or a majority in the electoral college then the House representatives determine the winner.

According to John Yoo, the founding fathers expected the house representatives to settle most elections as they perceived getting a majority in the electoral college would be difficult in 1789 or the 1800s.

Civil war and reconstruction were a turning point for everything including elections

I still think Maine and Nebraska have the right model. Right now candidates only have to focus on 9 states or less. I’m in California. I think the last time a Republican visited California was 1988 or 1992. The last presidential campaign ad I saw on television was in 1988. The infamous Willie Horton. Maybe I saw one in 1992.