Creating the United States

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House of Representatives Chooses Jefferson as President

House of Representatives Chooses Jefferson as President (102.02.00)

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When Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the identical number of electoral votes in the 1800 presidential election, the Constitution required the House of Representatives vote by state to choose the president. This brief newspaper account of Jefferson’s February 17 election on the thirty-sixth ballot is accompanied by a brief statement from the president-elect.

(Transcription)

“In deciding between the candidates. . .”


When Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the identical number of electoral votes in the 1800 presidential election, the Constitution required the House of Representatives vote by state to choose the president. This brief newspaper account of Jefferson’s February 17 election on the thirty-sixth ballot is accompanied by a brief statement from the president-elect.