Contested Votes: The Vice Presidency's Role in Early Elections

This chapter explores the historical complexities of the vice president's role in the electoral vote counting during the contentious presidential elections of 1796 and 1800. It examines the ambiguities in the Constitution regarding the responsibilities of the presiding officer and highlights the significant actions of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson amid the electoral challenges. The narrative underscores the implications of procedural irregularities and the political dynamics that shaped the integrity of these pivotal elections.