What was the electoral college in 1800?

Answer 1

Thomas Jefferson won the 1800 presidential election defeating John Quincy Adams, Aaron Burr, Charles Pinckney, and John Jay. In 1800 electors voted for two individuals and did not distinguish between their presidential and vice-presidential choices until the passage of the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1803. The recipient of the most electoral votes in 1800 would become president and the runner-up vice-president. Thomas Jefferson received 73 electoral votes, his running-mate Aaron Burr received 73 electoral votes, John Quincy Adams received 65 electoral votes, Charles Pinckney received 64 electoral votes, and John Jay received 1 electoral vote. Although John Quincy Adams ran as Thomas Jefferson's main opponent in the general election, running-mates Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of electoral votes. The election was decided in the House of Representatives, with 10 State delegations voting for Jefferson, 4 voting for Burr and 2 making no choice. Thomas Jefferson became President and his running-mate Aaron Burr became Vice President.

Answer 2

In the first four elections, 1788 through 1800, each elector had two votes for President and the person with the second most votes was made vice-president. This rule did not cause any trouble the first two elections since Washington was on every ballot, but in 1796, John Adams won and his opponent Thomas Jefferson came in second. In 1800, the electors voted only for their party so Thomas Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron Burr tied in votes. The 12th amendment was passed soon after to change the system and make the voting for President separate from the voting for vice president.