According to the Twelfth Amendment, how are the President and Vice President elected?

The Twelfth Amendment outlines the procedure for electing the President and Vice President of the United States. It establishes that each elector in the Electoral College casts one vote for President and one vote for Vice President, thus reinforcing the notion that these positions are elected as a separate process rather than as a single ticket.

This procedure was put in place to prevent potential complications from the earlier electoral process, where the person receiving the second most votes would become Vice President. By having distinct votes for each office, the Amendment promotes a clearer division of responsibilities and helps ensure that the elected officials are chosen according to the preferences of the electors.

This structure allows for the possibility that a President and Vice President from different political parties can be elected, thus creating a system that encourages political diversity and representation.