The Evolution of the U.S. Vice Presidency: How the 12th Amendment Reshaped the System

For a long time, the role of the U.S. Vice President was underreview, serving merely as a secondary position with little power. This all significantly changed with the ratification of the 12th Amendment in 1804. This landmark amendment has fundamentally altered the landscape of the vice presidency, ensuring that it no longer simply followed the one who came in second place.

Historical Context: The Proposal and Adoption

The concept of changing the rules surrounding the vice presidency was first proposed by Representative William L. Smith. The amendment was a response to the shortcomings of the original system, which had largely been ignored due to the naivety of the framers who anticipated that presidential elections would transcend partisan politics.

Initial Presidential Election System: A Naive Assumption

Initially, the U.S. Constitution's 'runner up' rule was born out of a rather naive political assumption. The framers believed that the vice presidency would be a low-power consolation position that nobody would aim for. However, this assumption quickly proved incorrect. The vice presidency, while devoid of significant power, became a strategic position that officials could aspire to, providing them access to the president and considerable public exposure.

The Unforeseen Drawbacks: 1796 and 1800 Elections

The real test of the system came with the elections of 1796 and 1800, which exposed its flaws. In 1796, John Adams served as President while his political rival, Thomas Jefferson, took on the role of Vice President. By the 1800 election, the situation had escalated. Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr both secured 73 electoral votes, resulting in a 36-vote deadlock in the House of Representatives, pushing the vote all the way to the 36th attempt to determine the winner.

Notably, Alexander Hamilton, despite his personal disdain for Jefferson, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to prevent Burr from becoming president, thereby essentially torpedoing his own party's chances. This unprecedented political deadlock underscored the urgent need for reform.

The Passage of the 12th Amendment: A Speedy Constitutional Change

The amendment was passed with remarkable speed, reflecting the overwhelming desire to resolve this crisis. The 12th Amendment required a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the state legislatures for ratification. The system needed to be fixed, and the quick passage of the amendment illustrated the severity of the situation.

From Two Votes per Elector to Distinct Ballots

Crucially, the original rule dictated that each presidential elector was given two votes for President. This led to the misconception that the "runner up" became Vice President. In reality, after the 12th Amendment, electors were required to cast one vote for President and another for Vice President, ensuring a more transparent and robust system.

The Impact of the 12th Amendment

The ratification of the 12th Amendment transformed the vice presidency from a secondary, low-power position to a distinct role with its own electoral process. This change ensured that the vice president was elected by a clear, independent vote, rather than being the default choice when the president was not directly elected or when a tie occurred.

The new system not only addressed the immediate issues but also set a precedent for future changes in the U.S. electoral system, demonstrating the ongoing evolution and refinement of American democracy.