Presidential election
1860 presidential election
Abraham Lincoln defeated John C. Breckinridge, winning 180 of 303 electoral votes and 39.8% of the popular vote.
Results
81.2%
Turnout rate
4.7M
Total votes cast
4.7M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 35 | RepublicanLincoln | +7% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 27 | RepublicanLincoln | +13.5% |
| Ohio(OH) | 23 | RepublicanLincoln | +7% |
| Illinois(IL) | 11 | RepublicanLincoln | +12% |
| South Carolina(SC) | 8 | Southern DemocraticBreckinridge | +100% |
Candidates
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Hannibal Hamlin
Home state
Illinois
Age at election
51
Previous position
Former U.S. Representative from Illinois
Campaign slogan
"Vote Yourself a Farm"
Popular vote
1.9M
(39.8%)
Electoral votes
180
Party
Northern DemocraticRunning mate
Herschel V. Johnson
Home state
Illinois
Age at election
47
Previous position
U.S. Senator from Illinois
Campaign slogan
"Popular Sovereignty"
Popular vote
1.4M
(29.5%)
Electoral votes
12
Party
Southern DemocraticRunning mate
Joseph Lane
Home state
Kentucky
Age at election
39
Previous position
14th Vice President
Campaign slogan
"Our Rights and Our Honor"
Popular vote
848.0K
(18.1%)
Electoral votes
72
Party
Constitutional UnionRunning mate
Edward Everett
Home state
Tennessee
Age at election
63
Previous position
Former U.S. Senator from Tennessee
Campaign slogan
"The Union, the Constitution, and the Enforcement of the Laws"
Popular vote
590.9K
(12.6%)
Electoral votes
39
Free States
Lincoln
54%
Slave States
Breckinridge
45%
Border States
Bell
41%
Key events
Lincoln Nominated
Surprised convention by defeating Seward on third ballot
Democratic Party Splits
Southern Democrats walked out, nominating Breckinridge
South Carolina Secedes
First state to leave Union after Lincoln's election
Issues & context
Most consequential election in American history. Four-way race reflected nation's division. Lincoln wasn't even on ballot in 10 Southern states. Election triggered Civil War.
Relatively stable economy. Panic of 1857 had passed. Industrializing North vs agricultural South. Tariff debates reflected regional economic interests.
Buchanan (Democrat) did not seek reelection. Democratic Party split over slavery made Lincoln's victory possible despite winning only 39.8% of vote.
Triggered secession and Civil War. Republican Party became dominant for next 70 years. Slavery ultimately abolished. Nation preserved. Lincoln assassinated 5 years later.
Did you know?
- 1.Lincoln won without a single Southern electoral vote
- 2.Highest turnout in U.S. history (81.2%)
- 3.Lincoln grew his iconic beard after 11-year-old girl suggested it
- 4.Four-way race was only one in American history
- 5.Lincoln won with lowest popular vote percentage of any winning candidate