In 1800, Thomas Jefferson was selected by the House of Representatives after he tied in the Electoral College with his running mate, Aaron Burr. At that time, electors cast two votes, without specifying whether the votes were for President or Vice President. When the Democratic-Republican electors dutifully cast their two votes for Jefferson and Burr, the two candidates received identical vote totals. This problem was cured by the 12th Constitutional Amendment in 1804, when the rules were changed to have electors specify votes for President and Vice President. This change also acknowledged the reality of political parties, a concept shunned by George Washington, but adopted by the American political culture. In 1824, four candidates split the electoral and popular votes. John Quincy Adams was elected President in the House of Representatives, ratifying an apparent deal with Henry Clay. Clay did not want Andrew Jackson to be President, and he was appointed to Secretary of State in the Adams Administration.
Copyright © 2000 by Richard Warren Field