"thirty-six ballots were cast over five days to reach a decision. once again hamilton played a pivotal role, throwing his support to jefferson, whom he disliked, rather than burr, whom he truly hated. this election is sometimes referred to as the 'revolution of 1800' because it marked the transition from the federalists, the only party to have held the presidency to that point, to the democratic-republicans of jefferson. it appeared that major changes were in the offing. the dilemma posed by two candidates receiving an equal number of electoral votes was later addressed in amendment xii."
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