Why are presidential elections considered to be indirect elections?

Answer:

In a direct election, a citizen has the ability to choose between candidates or between options at the polls. Propositions, bond measures, and most other elections in the United States are considered direct elections. Presidential elections work differently. Rather than directly choosing a president, citizens are actually choosing electors. The electors, in turn, will vote for a presidential candidate. As a result, presidential elections can be considered indirect, since citizens are electing representatives who will speak for them.