Presidential election
1864 presidential election
Abraham Lincoln defeated George McClellan, winning 212 of 233 electoral votes and 55% of the popular vote.
Results
73.8%
Turnout rate
4.0M
Total votes cast
4.0M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 33 | RepublicanLincoln | +6.6% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 26 | RepublicanLincoln | +3.8% |
| Ohio(OH) | 21 | RepublicanLincoln | +5.4% |
| Indiana(IN) | 13 | RepublicanLincoln | +4.9% |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 7 | DemocraticMcClellan | +5.7% |
Candidates
Party
Republican/National UnionRunning mate
Andrew Johnson
Home state
Illinois
Age at election
55
Previous position
16th President of the United States (Incumbent)
Campaign slogan
"Don't Change Horses in Midstream"
Popular vote
2.2M
(55%)
Electoral votes
212
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
George H. Pendleton
Home state
New Jersey
Age at election
37
Previous position
Major General, U.S. Army
Campaign slogan
"The Union Must Be Preserved"
Popular vote
1.8M
(45%)
Electoral votes
21
Union States
Lincoln
55%
Border States
Lincoln
52%
Soldier Vote
Lincoln
78%
Key events
Fall of Atlanta
Sherman's capture of Atlanta transformed Lincoln's prospects
Lincoln Expects to Lose
Asked cabinet to pledge cooperation with new president
Lincoln Renominated
National Union Party nominated Johnson as unity gesture
Issues & context
Only election held during Civil War. Confederate states didn't participate. Union soldiers voted in field. Fall of Atlanta reversed Lincoln's fortunes. Democrats ran on peace platform.
War economy. High inflation. Greenbacks introduced. War bonds selling well after Grant's victories. Industrial production at war peak.
Lincoln seemed likely to lose until Atlanta fell. McClellan, whom Lincoln had fired, challenged him. 'Copperhead' peace faction hurt Democrats. War weariness was real but victories changed mood.
Ensured Union victory and slavery's end. Lincoln assassinated five months later. Johnson (Democrat VP) inherited presidency and Reconstruction. 13th Amendment followed.
Did you know?
- 1.Only wartime election since 1812
- 2.Confederate states didn't vote
- 3.Lincoln won 78% of soldier vote
- 4.McClellan repudiated his party's peace platform
- 5.Lincoln assassinated less than 6 months after inauguration