the person having the greatest number of votes for president shall be president, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as president, the house of representatives shall choose immediately by ballot, the president.  But in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.  And if the house of representatives shall not choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March, next following, then the vice-president shall act as president, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the president.

The person having the greatest number of votes as vice-president, shall be the vice-president, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list the senate shall choose the vice-president; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice.  But no person constitutionally ineligible to office of president shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States.

Thus we see that the president may be elected in one of two ways—­by electors or by the house of representatives; and that the vice-president may also be elected in one of two ways—­by electors or by the senate.

The mode of choosing the president is regarded by many as difficult to remember.  Perhaps making an outline like the following will aid the memory: 

First Mode or Process.

I. The electors, after they are chosen: 
   1.  MEET in their respective states.
   2.  VOTE by ballot, for president and vice-president.
   3.  MAKE LISTS of the persons voted for and the number
          of votes for each.
   4.  SIGN, CERTIFY and SEAL those lists.
   5.  TRANSMIT them to the seat of government, addressed
          to the president of the senate.

II.  The president of the senate: 
   1.  OPENS the certificates, in presence of both houses.
   2.  DECLARES THE RESULT, after the votes have been
          counted.

Second Mode or Process.

Points—­            President—­                Vice-President—­
Chosen by..........  House of Representatives   The Senate. 
From...............  Three highest.              Two highest. 
Voting.............  By ballot.                  By ballot. 
State power........  Each one vote.              Each two votes. 
Quorum.............  Representatives from       Two-thirds of senators.
two-thirds of the states. 
Necessary to choice Majority of states.          Majority of senators

The place of meeting is usually the capital of the state.