1800 United States presidential election — 4th quadrennial U.S. presidential election
The 1800 election was the first peaceful transfer of power between opposing parties in U.S. history, ending Federalist dominance.
Key Facts
- Election dates
- October 31 – December 3, 1800
- Jefferson electoral votes
- 73 votes
- Adams electoral votes
- 65 votes
- Contingent election ballots
- 36 ballots
- Burr electoral votes
- 73 votes
- Pinckney electoral votes
- 64 votes
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Political tensions stemming from the French Revolution, the Quasi-War, and domestic controversies such as the Alien and Sedition Acts deepened the divide between Federalists, who favored strong central government and ties to Britain, and Democratic-Republicans, who championed states' rights and criticized Federalist taxation and restrictions on civil liberties.
Vice President Thomas Jefferson, running on the Democratic-Republican ticket with Aaron Burr, defeated incumbent President John Adams and his running mate Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Jefferson and Burr each received 73 electoral votes, creating a tie that was resolved in the House of Representatives on the 36th ballot after Alexander Hamilton persuaded several Federalists to support Jefferson.
Jefferson's victory ended Federalist control of the executive branch and initiated a generation of Democratic-Republican governance. The electoral tie exposed a critical flaw in the original electoral system, directly prompting ratification of the Twelfth Amendment in 1804, which required separate ballots for president and vice president.
Political Outcome
Thomas Jefferson elected president; Aaron Burr elected vice president after 36-ballot contingent election in the House of Representatives
Federalist Party under President John Adams
Democratic-Republican Party under President Thomas Jefferson