What was the flaw in the US presidential election of 1800?

Answer 1

Referred to as the Revolution of 1800, this election did two things, three if you include the ultimate death, in 1804, of Alexander Hamilton in a duel with Aaron Burr. First thing is the sitting Vice President ran against the President. That's the first time that happened. Also, the original Constitution had a hole in it. In the Electoral College the electors had two votes. The party system was a new thing, with running mates instead of the two top vote getters being president and vice president. So, when Thomas Jefferson beat John Adams it caused quite a ruckus. The plan was to have one of the electors abstain from voting, but that didn't happen. After the vote both Thomas Jefferson and his VP Aaron Burr had the same amount of votes. That's a tie and ties are thrown into the House of Representatives to be settled. Maybe visions of the 2000 election come to mind. There was much debate, infighting and the case was made that Jefferson was the winner. This spurred the 12 Amendment being ratified in 1804 that clearly distinguishes a vote for President and Vice President in the Electoral College. Burr never entered the fray, never actively lobbied for the post of President and the proof of that was Burr never left New York between the election and the ultimate debate in the House. But this is where Alexander Hamilton, who really wasn't happy with either Burr or Jefferson, lobbied for Jefferson. Bad blood between Burr and Hamilton existed before this and culminated in a spirited run for Governor of New York in 1804 that Burr lost. Burr was running for Governor because he was being dropped from the ticket by Jefferson. They met in New Jersey, Hamilton was shot in the stomach and died the next day. Charges were filed, Burr ran away to the Carolinas but ultimately returned to Washington DC to finish his term as VP. All charges were dropped.