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Presidential election

1824 presidential election

John Quincy Adams won the 1824 election in the U.S. House of Representatives after no candidate secured an electoral majority.

October 26 - December 1, 1824

John Quincy Adams

Democratic-RepublicanDecided by: U.S. House

John Quincy Adams became president after the 1824 election was decided by the U.S. House of Representatives — despite Andrew Jackson leading the electoral vote (9984). Running mate: John C. Calhoun.

84
of 261 electoral votes
26.9%
turnout

Results

Vote breakdown
Andrew JacksonDemocratic-Republican
41.4%(151.3K votes)
99 EV
John Quincy AdamsDemocratic-Republican
30.9%(113.1K votes)
84 EV
William H. CrawfordDemocratic-Republican
11.2%(40.9K votes)
41 EV
Henry ClayDemocratic-Republican
13%(47.5K votes)
37 EV
Voter turnout

26.9%

Turnout rate

352.8K

Total votes cast

1.3M

Eligible voters

State results
StateElectoral votesWinnerMargin
Pennsylvania(PA)28
Democratic-RepublicanJackson
+60%
New York(NY)36
Democratic-RepublicanAdams
+3%
Virginia(VA)24
Democratic-RepublicanCrawford
+5%
Ohio(OH)16
Democratic-RepublicanClay
+15%
Tennessee(TN)11
Democratic-RepublicanJackson
+80%
Swing states
New York
Held
Electoral votes:36
Margin:3%
Previous:Monroe
Ohio
Held
Electoral votes:16
Margin:15%
Previous:Monroe

Candidates

Andrew Jackson

Party

Democratic-Republican

Running mate

John C. Calhoun

Home state

Tennessee

Age at election

57

Previous position

U.S. Senator from Tennessee, Major General

Popular vote

151.3K

(41.4%)

Electoral votes

99

John Quincy Adams
Winner

Party

Democratic-Republican

Running mate

John C. Calhoun

Home state

Massachusetts

Age at election

57

Previous position

Secretary of State

Popular vote

113.1K

(30.9%)

Electoral votes

84

William H. Crawford

Party

Democratic-Republican

Running mate

Albert Gallatin/Nathaniel Macon

Home state

Georgia

Age at election

52

Previous position

Secretary of the Treasury

Popular vote

40.9K

(11.2%)

Electoral votes

41

Henry Clay

Party

Democratic-Republican

Running mate

Nathan Sanford

Home state

Kentucky

Age at election

47

Previous position

Speaker of the House

Popular vote

47.5K

(13%)

Electoral votes

37

Voting demographics

New England

Adams

72%

South

Jackson/Crawford

60%

West

Jackson/Clay

55%

Key events

Campaign timeline
major
February 1824

Crawford's Stroke

Leading candidate incapacitated by illness during campaign

major
February 9, 1825

House Elects Adams

Clay threw support to Adams; named Secretary of State

Issues & context

Key campaign issues
Internal Improvements
Tariff Policy
National Bank
Era of Good Feelings Collapse
Sectionalism
Historical context

Only election decided by House of Representatives. No candidate won electoral majority. Clay, eliminated from House vote, supported Adams who then named Clay Secretary of State. Jacksonians cried 'corrupt bargain.'

Economic conditions

Post-War of 1812 prosperity. 'Era of Good Feelings' ending. Panic of 1819 effects lingering in some areas. Internal improvements debate intensifying.

Incumbent factors

Monroe (two-term Democrat-Republican) not seeking third term. No clear party favorite. Era of one-party rule collapsing. Regional interests dominating.

Legacy and impact

'Corrupt Bargain' allegation shadowed Adams presidency. End of Era of Good Feelings. Birth of modern two-party system. Jackson immediately began campaigning for 1828. Last election with one dominant party.

Did you know?

  • 1.Only election decided by House of Representatives since 12th Amendment
  • 2.Jackson won popular and electoral pluralities but lost
  • 3.'Corrupt Bargain' phrase coined by Jacksonians
  • 4.Only time 6 states still chose electors by legislature
  • 5.Calhoun was VP candidate for both Jackson AND Adams

This site explains the structure and history of U.S. federal elections and is not an official government resource. All data shown is for educational purposes only.