Answer: Thomas Jefferson received the second largest number of electoral votes in the 1796 election.
Step-by-step explanation: The two big candidates of the United States presidential election of 1796 that aimed at taking the place of George Washington were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This was the first presidential election in which political parties held a key role. John Adams represented the Federalist Party, while Thomas Jefferson represented the Democratic-Republican Party. Finally, John Adams won the elections with 71 electoral votes. Jefferson received 68, the second largest number of electoral votes.