Presidential election
1916 presidential election
Woodrow Wilson defeated Charles Evans Hughes, winning 277 of 531 electoral votes and 49.2% of the popular vote.
Results
61.6%
Turnout rate
18.5M
Total votes cast
20.3M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 45 | RepublicanHughes | +4.2% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 38 | RepublicanHughes | +2.5% |
| Ohio(OH) | 24 | DemocraticWilson | +2.1% |
| California(CA) | 13 | DemocraticWilson | +0.4% |
| Illinois(IL) | 29 | RepublicanHughes | +3.6% |
Candidates
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
Thomas R. Marshall
Home state
New Jersey
Age at election
59
Previous position
28th President of the United States (Incumbent)
Campaign slogan
"He Kept Us Out of War"
Popular vote
9.1M
(49.2%)
Electoral votes
277
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Charles W. Fairbanks
Home state
New York
Age at election
54
Previous position
Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court
Popular vote
8.5M
(46.1%)
Electoral votes
254
Peace Advocates
Wilson
65%
Progressives
Wilson
55%
Eastern Business
Hughes
58%
Key events
Lusitania Sinking
German submarine attack killed 1,198 including 128 Americans
Pancho Villa Raid
Mexican revolutionary attacked New Mexico
Issues & context
Closest election since 1876. Wilson ran on 'He Kept Us Out of War.' California decided election. Hughes lost due to snubbing CA Governor Johnson. U.S. entered war 5 months after inauguration.
War economy boosting trade. Neutrality bringing prosperity. Industrial production increasing. Agriculture benefiting from European demand.
Wilson's progressive reforms popular. Peace message resonated. Hughes struggled to unite reunited Republicans. Western states crucial.
Wilson led U.S. into WWI in April 1917. Progressive Era ended. League of Nations fight followed. Women's suffrage achieved 1920.
Did you know?
- 1.California's 13 votes decided election (0.4% margin)
- 2.Hughes went to bed thinking he'd won
- 3.Wilson was first Democrat reelected since Jackson
- 4.U.S. entered WWI just 5 months later
- 5.Hughes snubbed Hiram Johnson, costing California