Presidential election
1812 presidential election
James Madison defeated DeWitt Clinton, winning 128 of 217 electoral votes.
Results
40.4%
Turnout rate
273.2K
Total votes cast
1.0M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 25 | Democratic-RepublicanMadison | +10% |
| New York(NY) | 29 | FederalistClinton | +6% |
| Virginia(VA) | 25 | Democratic-RepublicanMadison | +70% |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 22 | FederalistClinton | +4% |
| Ohio(OH) | 8 | Democratic-RepublicanMadison | +20% |
Candidates
Party
Democratic-RepublicanRunning mate
Elbridge Gerry
Home state
Virginia
Age at election
61
Previous position
4th President of the United States (Incumbent)
Electoral votes
128
Party
Federalist/Peace RepublicansRunning mate
Jared Ingersoll
Home state
New York
Age at election
43
Previous position
Lieutenant Governor of New York
Electoral votes
89
Northern States
Clinton
52%
Southern States
Madison
75%
Key events
War Declared on Britain
Congress declared war months before election
Surrender of Detroit
Early military disaster hurt Madison
Issues & context
First wartime presidential election. War of 1812 just begun with early military setbacks. Clinton ran as peace candidate in Northeast, war supporter in South/West. Unusual coalition of Federalists and anti-war Republicans.
Economic disruption from trade embargoes. British blockade hurting commerce. Inflation increasing. War financing straining treasury.
Madison blamed for war's poor start. Surrender of Detroit embarrassed administration. But Federalists still tainted by perceived disloyalty. War became referendum on Madison.
Only wartime election until 1864. Federalist revival short-lived. 'Gerrymandering' coined from VP Gerry's redistricting in Massachusetts. War ended in 1815 with Treaty of Ghent.
Did you know?
- 1.First wartime presidential election
- 2.Clinton ran as peace candidate in North, pro-war in South
- 3.Term 'gerrymandering' came from VP Gerry's redistricting
- 4.Only sitting VP to die in office (Gerry, 1814)
- 5.Clinton was nephew of George Clinton (previous VP)