1800 United States presidential election in South Carolina
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Elections in South Carolina |
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In the 1800 United States presidential election, electors to the United States Electoral College could be selected in each state at any time after October 31 and all electors were required to vote on December 3, 1800. Based on the constitutional provision in effect at that time, each elector cast two votes. The candidate receiving most votes would be President. The runner up would be elected Vice President.[1]
During this election, the Federalist party nominated incumbent President John Adams of Massachusetts and General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina. The Democratic-Republican Party nominated incumbent Vice President Thomas Jefferson of Virginia and Aaron Burr of New York.[2][3]
Federalists hoped to receive votes in South Carolina based on the presence on the ticket of native son, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. The Democratic-Republican campaign in the state was led by General Pinckney's first cousin, Senator Charles Pinckney, Jr. [4][3]
When the choice of South Carolina electors came before the state Legislature beginning in late November 1800, there was much discussion about a possible compromise whereby electors would be selected who would split their ballots between Federalist, General Pinckney and Democratic Republican, Jefferson. Ultimately on December 2, 1800, just one day before election day, the Legislature selected a slate of 8 electors, all of whom were committed to voting for Democratic Republican candidates. [5]
On election day, December 3, 1800, all of the 8 South Carolina electors cast their electoral votes for Jefferson and Burr.[3]
References
- ^ United States Constitution prior to Twelfth Amendment, Article II, Section 1, Clause 3.
- ISBN 9780786410170.
- ^ ISBN 0195167716.
- ISBN 978-0-7006-1742-5.
- ^ Bain, Jr., James (1898). "South Carolina in the Presidential Election of 1800". The American Historical Review. 4 (1): 111–12.