Which constitutional amendment requires separate votes for president and vice president by electors?

Which constitutional amendment requires separate votes for president and vice president by electors?

• A. First Amendment
• B. 12th Amendment
• C. 20th Amendment
• D. 26th Amendment

Answer: (B)

The Twelfth Amendment changes how the Electoral College votes by requiring electors to cast separate ballots for president and for vice president. Ratified in 1804 after issues in earlier elections, this ensures the two offices are chosen on distinct votes rather than the second-place candidate becoming vice president. It also outlines what happens if no candidate wins a majority: the House selects the president from the top three, and the Senate selects the vice president from the top two. This separate-vote system makes the pairing of president and vice president clearer and helps prevent mismatches between the two offices.

The Twelfth Amendment changes how the Electoral College votes by requiring electors to cast separate ballots for president and for vice president. Ratified in 1804 after issues in earlier elections, this ensures the two offices are chosen on distinct votes rather than the second-place candidate becoming vice president. It also outlines what happens if no candidate wins a majority: the House selects the president from the top three, and the Senate selects the vice president from the top two. This separate-vote system makes the pairing of president and vice president clearer and helps prevent mismatches between the two offices.