Difference between revisions of "What is the history of contested presidential elections in the United States?"
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==Contested Presidential Elections in the 19th Century== | ==Contested Presidential Elections in the 19th Century== | ||
| − | + | The 1824 presidential election featured four main candidates, with the candidates being Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay and William Crawford. Because there were four main candidates, with each having some support, the results led to a contested election in which no candidate was able to obtain the majority of the electoral college. This election featured only one party, the Democratic-Republican Party, although numerous factions existed, which eventually gave rise to the Democratic and Republican parties. As the majority of the electoral college votes are needed to become president, the election led to one of the few times the House of Representatives ultimately chose who became president. Andrew Jackson had won the most electoral votes, but he ultimately proved unsuccessful and John Quincy Adams was voted by the House. It was (likely) the first election where the winner did not receive a majority of the popular vote, where Adams only obtained about 32% of the total vote. Clay, who finished fourth, lent Adams sup, which helped to overcome Jackson's challenge. Unlike today, more than a couple of states split their electoral votes based on districts. Maryland, Louisiana, Illinois, and New York split their votes. The help by Clay led Jackson to accuse Adams of striking a corrupt bargain, as Clay was appointed Secretary of State in the Adams' administration. That message and accusation of corruption helped Jackson win the next presidential election. | |
==Later Contested Elections== | ==Later Contested Elections== | ||
Revision as of 17:11, 10 November 2020
In 2020, the presidential election appears to be contested by some groups, including the president himself. Contested presidential elections have been a part of US history and in the 19th century they were more common. In many cases, it has often been because of the electoral college and popular vote discrepancies. In general, contested elections have been usually peacefully resolved, even if some parties continue to feel grieved long after the vote.
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Contested Presidential Elections in the 19th Century
The 1824 presidential election featured four main candidates, with the candidates being Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay and William Crawford. Because there were four main candidates, with each having some support, the results led to a contested election in which no candidate was able to obtain the majority of the electoral college. This election featured only one party, the Democratic-Republican Party, although numerous factions existed, which eventually gave rise to the Democratic and Republican parties. As the majority of the electoral college votes are needed to become president, the election led to one of the few times the House of Representatives ultimately chose who became president. Andrew Jackson had won the most electoral votes, but he ultimately proved unsuccessful and John Quincy Adams was voted by the House. It was (likely) the first election where the winner did not receive a majority of the popular vote, where Adams only obtained about 32% of the total vote. Clay, who finished fourth, lent Adams sup, which helped to overcome Jackson's challenge. Unlike today, more than a couple of states split their electoral votes based on districts. Maryland, Louisiana, Illinois, and New York split their votes. The help by Clay led Jackson to accuse Adams of striking a corrupt bargain, as Clay was appointed Secretary of State in the Adams' administration. That message and accusation of corruption helped Jackson win the next presidential election.