Creating the United States

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A special “General Committee of Correspondence” was organized among members of the Virginia Assembly to secure a system of choosing pro-Jefferson electors for the upcoming federal presidential election. The states had an option of choosing by popular vote (statewide or in districts), or legislative appointment, or any combination thereof. Virginia chose to elect a slate of electors in a statewide vote. All twenty-one of its electors voted for Jefferson and Aaron Burr in 1800.

(Transcription)

“The Legislature of this State, at their last Session. . .”


A special “General Committee of Correspondence” was organized among members of the Virginia Assembly to secure a system of choosing pro-Jefferson electors for the upcoming federal presidential election. The states had an option of choosing by popular vote (statewide or in districts), or legislative appointment, or any combination thereof. Virginia chose to elect a slate of electors in a statewide vote. All twenty-one of its electors voted for Jefferson and Aaron Burr in 1800.