jackson received the majority of the popular vote and the majority of the electoral vote. but, no candidate received the necessary 131 electoral votes required by the constitution. based on the twelfth amendment, the election would be decided by the house of representatives between the top three candidates. clay, as the fourth candidate, was eliminated. but, as speaker of the house he would play a large part in the decision of who would become president. clay used all his influence to support adams. he also convinced other members of the house that jackson was not qualified to be president. this was in spite of the fact that clay had instructions from the kentucky legislature to vote for jackson. clay's arguments apparently succeeded and adams was elected president by the house on february 9, 1825. a few days later, adams nominated clay to be his secretary of state.