Twelfth Amendment

Definition

The Twelfth Amendment is a constitutional change ratified in 1804 that established the procedure for electing the President and Vice President of the United States. This amendment was created to refine the electoral process, particularly following the election of 1800, which highlighted flaws in the original system, such as the possibility of a tie and the unintended elevation of a candidate to the presidency who was not intended for that role. It requires electors to cast separate ballots for President and Vice President, ensuring that the two offices are filled by candidates who are intended to serve together.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Twelfth Amendment was adopted to address issues from the election of 1800, where Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received an equal number of electoral votes, leading to a lengthy tie and political turmoil.
2. Prior to this amendment, electors cast two votes for President, with the runner-up becoming Vice President, which often resulted in political rivals occupying the two highest offices.
3. The amendment establishes that electors will cast one vote for President and one vote for Vice President on separate ballots.
4. This change also set forth procedures for dealing with cases when no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, allowing the House of Representatives to choose the President.
5. The Twelfth Amendment reflects the Founding Fathers' intent to create a more organized and functional electoral process in response to early failures in governance.

Review Questions

• How did the election of 1800 influence the creation of the Twelfth Amendment?
  • The election of 1800 was pivotal in highlighting serious flaws in the electoral process, specifically when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr ended up tied with the same number of electoral votes. This situation led to a protracted dispute and revealed that the original system could produce unintended consequences, such as rivals becoming President and Vice President. The Twelfth Amendment was thus crafted to prevent such confusion by mandating separate ballots for each office, aiming to create a smoother electoral experience.
• Analyze how the Twelfth Amendment changed the dynamics of presidential elections in America.
  • The Twelfth Amendment fundamentally altered how presidential elections were conducted by requiring electors to vote separately for President and Vice President. This change meant that political parties could nominate running mates specifically intended to work together, thereby reducing tensions that could arise from having opposing party members in these key roles. The amendment helped streamline the electoral process, ensuring greater party cohesion and clearer choices for voters during elections.
• Evaluate the impact of the Twelfth Amendment on modern presidential elections and its relevance to current political dynamics.
  • The Twelfth Amendment has had a lasting impact on modern presidential elections by creating a clearer framework for candidate selection and improving party unity at the highest levels of government. By ensuring that presidential and vice-presidential candidates run as a ticket, it has strengthened party loyalty and strategy in elections. This amendment remains relevant today as it guides how candidates are selected during primaries and how they campaign together, affecting voter perceptions and party platforms in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

Related terms

Electoral College: A body of electors established by the Constitution, responsible for formally electing the President and Vice President of the United States.

Separation of Powers: A fundamental principle of American government that divides powers and responsibilities among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states.