In the election of 1800, Jefferson had won a majority of the popular vote. Why wasn’t Jefferson not automatically awarded the Presidency?

Question

a. Aaron Burr had more Electoral College votes
b. Jefferson didn’t have a majority of electoral college votes
c. John Adams had more Electoral College votes
d. Congress refused to agree to Jefferson’s election

Answer 1

The correct answer is: b. Jefferson didn’t have a majority of electoral college votes.

In the election of 1800, both Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received an equal number of Electoral College votes, which resulted in a tie. The election was ultimately decided by the House of Representatives, which broke the tie after several ballots.