Presidential election
1880 presidential election
James Garfield defeated Winfield Hancock, winning 214 of 369 electoral votes.
Results
79.4%
Turnout rate
9.2M
Total votes cast
9.2M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 35 | RepublicanGarfield | +1.9% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 29 | RepublicanGarfield | +1.7% |
| Ohio(OH) | 22 | RepublicanGarfield | +3.4% |
| Indiana(IN) | 15 | RepublicanGarfield | +6.6% |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 9 | DemocraticHancock | +2% |
Candidates
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Chester A. Arthur
Home state
Ohio
Age at election
48
Previous position
U.S. Representative from Ohio
Popular vote
4.5M
(48.3%)
Electoral votes
214
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
William H. English
Home state
Pennsylvania
Age at election
56
Previous position
Major General, U.S. Army
Popular vote
4.4M
(48.2%)
Electoral votes
155
Party
GreenbackRunning mate
B.J. Chambers
Home state
Iowa
Age at election
47
Previous position
U.S. Representative from Iowa
Popular vote
308.6K
(3.4%)
Electoral votes
0
Northern States
Garfield
51%
Southern States
Hancock
60%
Key events
Garfield Nominated
Dark horse emerged after 36 ballots at convention
Garfield Assassinated
Shot by disappointed office-seeker (died September)
Issues & context
Closest popular vote in American history (0.1%). Both candidates were Civil War generals. Garfield was dark horse nominee. Post-Reconstruction election with 'Solid South' emerging.
Recovery from Panic of 1873. Industrial growth resuming. Railroad expansion continuing. Labor unrest growing. Currency debate ongoing.
Hayes (one-term Republican) kept pledge not to run. Republican Party divided between Stalwarts and Half-Breeds. Democrats united behind war hero Hancock.
Garfield assassinated by 'disappointed office-seeker' led to civil service reform. Arthur succeeded and passed Pendleton Act. Closest popular vote ever (0.1%).
Did you know?
- 1.Closest popular vote in U.S. history (0.1%)
- 2.Garfield was last president born in log cabin
- 3.Both candidates were Union generals
- 4.Garfield assassinated less than 4 months into term
- 5.Garfield nominated on 36th ballot