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Presidential election

1832 presidential election

Andrew Jackson defeated Henry Clay, winning 219 of 286 electoral votes and 54.2% of the popular vote.

November 2-December 5, 1832

Andrew Jackson

Democratic

Andrew Jackson won the 1832 presidential election with 219 of 286 electoral votes, and 54.2% of the popular vote. Running mate: Martin Van Buren.

219
of 286 electoral votes
54.2%
popular vote
55.4%
turnout

Results

Vote breakdown
Andrew JacksonDemocratic
54.2%(701.8K votes)
219 EV
Henry ClayNational Republican
37.4%(484.2K votes)
49 EV
William WirtAnti-Masonic
7.8%(100.7K votes)
7 EV
Voter turnout

55.4%

Turnout rate

1.3M

Total votes cast

2.4M

Eligible voters

State results
StateElectoral votesWinnerMargin
Pennsylvania(PA)30
DemocraticJackson
+18%
New York(NY)42
DemocraticJackson
+4.5%
Ohio(OH)21
DemocraticJackson
+3%
Kentucky(KY)15
National RepublicanClay
+9%
Massachusetts(MA)14
National RepublicanClay
+22%
Swing states
Ohio
Held
Electoral votes:21
Margin:3%
Previous:Jackson
New York
Held
Electoral votes:42
Margin:4.5%
Previous:Jackson

Candidates

Andrew Jackson
Winner

Party

Democratic

Running mate

Martin Van Buren

Home state

Tennessee

Age at election

65

Previous position

7th President of the United States (Incumbent)

Campaign slogan

"Jackson and Democracy"

Popular vote

701.8K

(54.2%)

Electoral votes

219

Henry Clay

Party

National Republican

Running mate

John Sergeant

Home state

Kentucky

Age at election

55

Previous position

U.S. Senator from Kentucky

Campaign slogan

"Liberty and Union"

Popular vote

484.2K

(37.4%)

Electoral votes

49

William Wirt

Party

Anti-Masonic

Running mate

Amos Ellmaker

Home state

Maryland

Age at election

60

Previous position

U.S. Attorney General

Popular vote

100.7K

(7.8%)

Electoral votes

7

Voting demographics

Northern States

Jackson

50%

Southern States

Jackson

63%

Western States

Jackson

58%

Key events

Campaign timeline
major
July 10, 1832

Jackson Vetoes Bank Recharter

Historic veto message framed election as people vs. moneyed interests

moderate
September 1831

First National Nominating Convention

Anti-Masonic Party held first convention; Democrats and NR followed

Issues & context

Key campaign issues
Bank War (Second Bank of the United States)
Nullification Crisis
Tariff Policy
Indian Removal
Internal Improvements
Historical context

First election with national nominating conventions. 'Bank War' dominated campaign. Jackson vetoed Bank recharter and made it central issue. Nullification crisis with South Carolina brewing.

Economic conditions

Stable economy. Bank of United States functioning well but politically unpopular. Tariff of Abominations causing regional tensions. Speculative boom beginning.

Incumbent factors

Jackson popular despite controversies. Portrayed as champion of common man against elites. Clay represented 'American System' of national bank, tariffs, internal improvements.

Legacy and impact

Mandate for Jackson's Bank War. He withdrew federal deposits and destroyed Bank. First use of nominating conventions standardized. Anti-Masonic Party faded but influenced Whig formation.

Did you know?

  • 1.First election using national nominating conventions
  • 2.First third party (Anti-Masonic) to win electoral votes
  • 3.Jackson's Bank Veto message became campaign document
  • 4.South Carolina nullified tariff just after election
  • 5.Clay's second of three presidential losses

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.