Question

“Electors . . . shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President.” Which statement best describes the meaning of this text from the 12th Amendment?

Answer 1

Presidential and vice-presidential candidates are to be voted for on separate ballots.

Answer 2

This excerpt from the 12th amendment essentially says that president and vice presidents will be voted on different ballots. This amendment was passed in 1804.

Along with dealing with voting for the president and vice president, the 12th amendment also gives the House of Representatives the power to to choose the president if no one candidate receives the necessary number of electoral college votes to become president. This power will be used by the House of Representatives during the election of 1824.