The result of this election was affected by the three-fifths clause--had slaves not been counted as persons for purposes of Congressional apportionment, Adams would have won, albeit with a lower number of popular votes than Jefferson.
The result of this election was affected by the three-fifths clause of the United States Constitution. Had slaves not each been counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of Congressional apportionment, Adams would have won, albeit with a lower number of popular votes than Jefferson.