United States presidential election, 1796 1

United States presidential election, 1796

United States presidential election, 1796

1792 ← 1796 → 1800

Nominee John Adams Thomas Jefferson

Party Federalist Democratic-Republican

Home state Massachusetts Virginia

Running mate Thomas Pinckney Aaron Burr

Electoral vote 71 68

States carried 9 7

Popular vote 35,726 31,115

Percentage 53.4% 46.6%

Presidential election results map. Presidential electoral votes by state.Because electors couldn't distinguish between their presidential and vice presidential choices until the passage of the Twelfth

Amendment, the map above assumes that the presidential votes are exactly the votes for Adams or Jefferson. This leads to an anomaly:Maryland is listed as having cast 7 Federalist votes and 4 Democratic-Republican votes when Maryland had only 10 electors. Oneelector had run unopposed from his district, having pledged to vote for both Adams and Jefferson. [1] Green denotes states won by

Jefferson, orange denotes states won by Adams. Numbers indicate the number of electoral votes allotted to each state.

President beforeelectionGeorge WashingtonIndependent

ElectedPresident

John AdamsFederalist

United States presidential election, 1796 2

The United States presidential election of 1796 was the first contested American presidential election and the onlyone in which a president and vice- president were elected from opposing tickets. This anomaly led to the ratificationof the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution in order to preclude such a result in the future.With incumbent President George Washington having refused a third term in office, incumbent Vice-President JohnAdams of Massachusetts became a candidate for the presidency on the Federalist Party ticket with former GovernorThomas Pinckney of South Carolina as the next most popular Federalist. Their opponents were former Secretary ofState Thomas Jefferson of Virginia along with Senator Aaron Burr of New York on the Democratic-Republicanticket. At this point, each man from any party ran alone, as the formal position of "running mate" had not yet beenestablished.Unlike the previous election, where the outcome was a foregone conclusion, Democratic-Republicans campaignedheavily for Jefferson, and Federalists campaigned heavily for Adams. The debate was an acrimonious one, withFederalists attempting to identify the Democratic-Republicans with the violence of the French Revolution[2] and theDemocratic-Republicans accusing the Federalists of favoring monarchism and aristocracy. In foreign policy, theDemocratic-Republicans denounced the Federalists over Jay's Treaty, perceived as too favorable to Britain, while theFrench ambassador embarrassed the Democratic-Republicans by publicly backing them and attacking the Federalistsright before the election.Although Adams won the presidency, Thomas Jefferson received more electoral votes than Pinckney and waselected vice-president according to the rules of electoral balloting then in place.

General election

Candidates• John Adams (Massachusetts), Vice President of the United States• Samuel Adams (Massachusetts), Governor of Massachusetts• Aaron Burr (New York), United States Senator• George Clinton (New York), former Governor of New York• Oliver Ellsworth (Connecticut), Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court• John Henry (Maryland), United States Senator• James Iredell (North Carolina), Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court• John Jay (New York), Governor of New York• Thomas Jefferson (Virginia), former Secretary of State of the United States• Samuel Johnston (North Carolina), United States Senator• Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (South Carolina), U.S. Ambassador to France• Thomas Pinckney (South Carolina), former Governor of South Carolina

United States presidential election, 1796 3

Federalist Candidates gallery

John Adams(Massachusetts)

Thomas Pinckney(South Carolina)

Oliver Ellsworth(Connecticut)

John Jay(New York)

James Iredell(North Carolina)

Samuel Johnston(North Carolina)

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney(South Carolina)

Democratic-Republican Candidates gallery

Thomas Jefferson(Virginia)

Aaron Burr(New York)

Samuel Adams(Massachusetts)

George Clinton(New York)

ResultsUnder the system then in place, electors had two votes, but both were for president; the runner-up in the presidential race was elected Vice-President (this was prior to the passage of the Twelfth Amendment, which changed the electoral process to a system based on running mates). Each party intended to manipulate the results by having some of their electors cast one vote for the intended presidential candidate and one vote for somebody besides the intended vice-presidential candidate, leaving their vice-presidential candidate a few votes shy of their presidential candidate.

United States presidential election, 1796 4

Unfortunately, these schemes were complicated by several factors:• All electoral votes were cast on the same day, and communications between states were extremely slow at that

time, making it very difficult to coordinate which electors were to manipulate their vote for vice-president.• There were rumors that southern electors pledged to Jefferson were coerced by Alexander Hamilton to give their

second vote to Pinckney in hope of electing him president instead of Adams. Indeed, as it turned out, all eightelectors in Pinckney's home state of South Carolina, as well as at least one elector in Pennsylvania, cast ballots forboth Jefferson and Pinckney.

The result was that too many Adams electors failed to cast their second vote for Pinckney, and so Adams was electedpresident while his opponent, Jefferson, was elected vice-president.

Presidential Candidate Party Home State Popular Vote(a), (b), (c) Electoral Vote

Count Percentage

John Adams Federalist Massachusetts 35,726 53.4% 71

Thomas Jefferson Democratic-Republican Virginia 31,115 46.6% 68

Thomas Pinckney Federalist South Carolina — — 59

Aaron Burr Democratic-Republican New York — — 30

Samuel Adams Democratic-Republican Massachusetts — — 15

Oliver Ellsworth Federalist Connecticut — — 11

George Clinton Democratic-Republican New York — — 7

John Jay Federalist New York — — 5

James Iredell Federalist North Carolina — — 3

John Henry Democratic-Republican Maryland — — 2

Samuel Johnston Federalist North Carolina — — 2

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist South Carolina — — 1

Total 66,841 100.0% 276

Needed to win 70

Source (Popular Vote): U.S. President National Vote [3]. Our Campaigns [4]. (February 11, 2006).Source (Electoral Vote): Electoral College Box Scores 1789–1996 [5]. Official website of the National Archives [6].(July 30, 2005).(a) Votes for Federalist electors have been assigned to John Adams and votes for Democratic-Republican electorshave been assigned to Thomas Jefferson.(b) Only 9 of the 16 states used any form of popular vote.(c) Those states that did choose electors by popular vote had widely varying restrictions on suffrage via propertyrequirements.

Breakdown by ticket

United States presidential election, 1796 5

Presidential Candidate Running Mate Electoral Vote{{{ev_footnote}}}

John Adams Thomas Pinckney 50

Thomas Jefferson Aaron Burr 30

Thomas Jefferson Samuel Adams 15

John Adams Oliver Ellsworth 11

Thomas Jefferson Thomas Pinckney 9

Thomas Jefferson George Clinton 7

John Adams John Jay 5

Thomas Jefferson James Iredell 3

John Adams Samuel Johnston 2

Thomas Jefferson John Henry 2

John Adams Thomas Jefferson 1

Thomas Jefferson George Washington 1

John Adams Charles Cotesworth Pinckney 1

John Adams George Washington 1

There were quite a few split tickets, with an elector casting one vote for the head of the Democratic-Republicans,Jefferson, and the other for a Federalist:• All eight South Carolina electors (along with at least one Pennsylvania elector) voted for native son Thomas

Pinckney.• Three North Carolina electors voted for native son James Iredell.• There was even at least one elector in Maryland voting for an Adams-Jefferson ticket.

ConsequencesFor the only time in United States history the president and vice-president were from different parties (John QuincyAdams and John C. Calhoun would later be elected president and vice-president as political opponents, but they wereboth Democratic-Republicans candidates; Andrew Johnson, Abraham Lincoln's second vice-president, was aDemocrat, but Lincoln ran on a combined Union ticket in 1864, not as a strict Republican). Jefferson would leveragehis position as vice-president to attack President Adams' policies, and this would help him reach the White House inthe following election.This election would provide the impetus for the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution. On January6, 1797, Representative William L. Smith of South Carolina presented a resolution on the floor of the House ofRepresentatives for an amendment to the Constitution by which the presidential electors would designate whichcandidate would be president and which would be vice-president.[7] However, no action was taken on his proposal,setting the stage for the deadlocked election of 1800.

Electoral college selection

United States presidential election, 1796 6

Method of choosing Electors State(s)

Each Elector appointed by the state legislature ConnecticutDelawareNew JerseyNew YorkRhode IslandSouth CarolinaVermont

State is divided into electoral districts, with one Elector chosen per district by the voters of that district KentuckyMarylandNorth CarolinaVirginia

Each Elector chosen by voters statewide GeorgiaPennsylvania

• Two Electors appointed by the state legislature• Each remaining Elector chosen by the state legislature from list of top two vote-getters in each Congressional district

Massachusetts

Each Elector chosen by voters statewide; however, if no candidate wins majority, the state legislature appoints Elector from toptwo candidates

NewHampshire

• State is divided into electoral districts, with one Elector chosen per district• Each county chooses an electoral delegate by popular vote• Elector is chosen by electoral delegates of the counties within their district

Tennessee

Notes[1] http:/ / elections. lib. tufts. edu/ aas_portal/ view-election. xq?id=md. presidentialelector1. 1796[2] Presidential Election of 1796 (http:/ / www. multied. com/ elections/ 1796. html), retrieved on 2009-11-05.[3] http:/ / www. ourcampaigns. com/ RaceDetail. html?RaceID=59540[4] http:/ / www. ourcampaigns. com[5] http:/ / www. archives. gov/ federal-register/ electoral-college/ scores. html#1796[6] http:/ / www. archives. gov[7] United States Congress (1797). Annals of Congress (http:/ / memory. loc. gov/ cgi-bin/ ampage?collId=llac& fileName=006/ llac006. db&

recNum=154). 4th Congress, 2nd Session. p. 1824. . Retrieved 2006-06-26.

ReferencesBooks

• The North Carolina Electoral Vote: The People and the Process Behind the Vote. Raleigh, North Carolina:North Carolina Secretary of State. 1988.

Web references• "A Historical Analysis of the Electoral College" (http:/ / www. thegreenpapers. com/ Hx/ ElectoralCollege.

html). The Green Papers. Retrieved March 20, 2005.• A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787-1825 (http:/ / dca. tufts. edu/ features/ aas)

United States presidential election, 1796 7

Further reading• Encyclopedia of the New American Nation, 1754–1829 ed. by Paul Finkelman (2005), 1600 pp.• Banning, Lance. The Jeffersonian Persuasion: Evolution of a Party Ideology (1978)• Chambers, William Nisbet, ed. The First Party System (1972)• Chambers, William Nisbet. Political Parties in a New Nation: The American Experience, 1776–1809 (1963),

political science perspective• Charles, Joseph. The Origins of the American Party System (1956), reprints articles in William and Mary

Quarterly• Cunningham, Noble E., Jr. Jeffersonian Republicans: The Formation of Party Organization: 1789–1801 (1957),

highly detailed party history• Cunningham, Noble E., Jr. , "John Beckley: An Early American Party Manager," William and Mary Quarterly, 13

(Jan. 1956), 40-52, in JSTOR (http:/ / www. jstor. org/ stable/ 1923388)• Dawson, Matthew Q. Partisanship and the Birth of America's Second Party, 1796-1800: Stop the Wheels of

Government. Greenwood, (2000) online version (http:/ / www. questia. com/ PM. qst?a=o& d=22900345)• DeConde, Alexander. "Washington's Farewell, the French Alliance, and the Election of 1796," Mississippi Valley

Historical Review, Vol. 43, No. 4 (Mar., 1957), pp. 641–658 in JSTOR (http:/ / www. jstor. org/ stable/ 1902277)• Dinkin, Robert J. Campaigning in America: A History of Election Practices. (Greenwood 1989) online version

(http:/ / www. questia. com/ PM. qst?a=o& d=14291969)• Elkins, Stanley and Eric McKitrick. The Age of Federalism (1995) online version (http:/ / www. questia. com/

PM. qst?a=o& d=59152800), the standard highly detailed political history of 1790s• Freeman, Joanne. "The Presidential Election of 1796," in Richard Alan Ryerson, ed. John Adams and the

Founding of the Republic (2001).• Miller, John C. The Federalist Era: 1789-1801 (1960), survey of political history• Schlesinger, Arthur Meier, ed. History of American Presidential Elections, 1789-1984 (Vol 1) (1986), essay and

primary sources on 1796• Wood, Gordon S. Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815 (2009)

Primary sources• Cunningham, Noble E., Jr. ed. The Making of the American Party System 1789 to 1809 (1965), short excerpts

from primary sources• Cunningham, Noble E., Jr., ed. Circular Letters of Congressmen to Their Constituents 1789-1829 (1978), 3 vol;

political reports sent by Congressmen to local newspapers

Article Sources and Contributors 8

Article Sources and ContributorsUnited States presidential election, 1796  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=441433038  Contributors: ABF, Akhristov, AlexPlank, AndrewHowse, Andy120290, Ashertg,BD2412, Ben76266, Blanchardb, Bryan Derksen, Bush shep, CASportsFan, CCRoxtar, Canderson7, Cardsplayer4life, Cleared as filed, Comedy240, CommonsDelinker, Connormah, DLJessup,Daniel Case, DaveJB, Dbfirs, Dfnmhsdmtnsz, Dimadick, Dina, Dwikiv, Electiontechnology, Exucmember, Facts707, Flockmeal, Fonzy, Foofighter20x, Fritzpoll, Gaius Cornelius, GoodOlfactory, Gugilymugily, Guoguo12, Hello32020, Hephaestos, Hmains, Hydrogen Iodide, Instinct, JPMcGrath, Jason One, JayJasper, JeLuF, Jimmy Slade, Jinyurock, Jj137, John, John K, JosephSolis in Australia, Josh Cherry, Juliancolton, Kevin j, Kigoe, KingsTCJB, Kittell, Kumioko, Levineps, Magnus Manske, Marek69, Mav, Mdb1370, Minesweeper, Minihooks121274839, Mirv,Naddy, Northumbrian, Pfranson, Philip Stevens, Playtime, Polly Ticker, Postdlf, Pschemp, Quebec99, Ratemonth, Recognizance, Rich Farmbrough, Richard75, Richskim, Rizalninoynapoleon,Rjensen, RobLa, Rockfang, Ryuhaku, Sabranan, Scanz851, Scott McNay, Seleucus, Singingdaisies, Slambodog, SoWhy, Spl2, Statalyzer, Str1977, Strait, Stroppolo, Sullivan9211, Swpb, ThatGuy, From That Show!, The Evil Spartan, The King Of Gondor, The Magnificent Clean-keeper, The Thing That Should Not Be, TheHYPO, Themadmac, Tilden76, Tim Thomason, Tim!,Timmeh, Timrollpickering, Tvoz, Uncle Dick, Vlastimil Svoboda, Willhsmit, William Saturn, Wizardman, Wolfdog, Wsbownz, Zidonuke, Zoe, Zzedar, 146 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:US flag 15 stars.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:US_flag_15_stars.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Himasaram, Homo lupus, Jacobolus, Zscout370, 1anonymous editsFile:US Navy 031029-N-6236G-001 A painting of President John Adams (1735-1826), 2nd president of the United States, by Asher B. Durand (1767-1845)-crop.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:US_Navy_031029-N-6236G-001_A_painting_of_President_John_Adams_(1735-1826),_2nd_president_of_the_United_States,_by_Asher_B._Durand_(1767-1845)-crop.jpg License: Public Domain  Contributors: ConnormahFile:Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale, 1800.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale,_1800.jpg  License: Public Domain Contributors: Bawolff, CommonsDelinker, Infrogmation, Scewing, Valentinianfile:ElectoralCollege1796.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:ElectoralCollege1796.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: AndyHogan14Image:US Navy 031029-N-6236G-001 A painting of President John Adams (1735-1826), 2nd president of the United States, by Asher B. Durand (1767-1845)-crop.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:US_Navy_031029-N-6236G-001_A_painting_of_President_John_Adams_(1735-1826),_2nd_president_of_the_United_States,_by_Asher_B._Durand_(1767-1845)-crop.jpg License: Public Domain  Contributors: ConnormahImage:Thomas Pinckney.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Thomas_Pinckney.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Frank C. Müller, Homo lupus,Jupiter-Perfect, ScooterImage:OliverEllsworth.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:OliverEllsworth.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: U.S. SenateImage:John Jay (Gilbert Stuart portrait).jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:John_Jay_(Gilbert_Stuart_portrait).jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Angr,Ecummenic, Man vyi, Nonenmac, PxMa, Scewing, Severino666Image:JamesIredell.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:JamesIredell.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Original uploader was Craverguy at en.wikipediaImage:NC-Congress-SamuelJohnston.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:NC-Congress-SamuelJohnston.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Mwanner,NekoDaemon, Pearle, Qblik, Seth Ilys, Superm401Image:CharlesCPinckney.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:CharlesCPinckney.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: James EarlImage:Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale,_1800.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale,_1800.jpg  License: PublicDomain  Contributors: Bawolff, CommonsDelinker, Infrogmation, Scewing, ValentinianImage:Vanderlyn Burr.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Vanderlyn_Burr.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: JannemanImage:SamuelAdamsLarge.jpeg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SamuelAdamsLarge.jpeg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Andreagrossmann, Beria, Ecummenic,Infrogmation, Kevin Myers, Korg, Mattes, Quadell, Sebastian Wallroth, Sparkit, Ww2censor, 2 anonymous editsImage:GeorgeClinton.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:GeorgeClinton.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Ezra Ames. Original uploader was Tilden76 aten.wikipedia

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