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Presidential election

1924 presidential election

Calvin Coolidge defeated John W. Davis, winning 382 of 531 electoral votes and 54% of the popular vote.

November 4, 1924

Calvin Coolidge

Republican

Calvin Coolidge won the 1924 presidential election with 382 of 531 electoral votes, and 54% of the popular vote. Running mate: Charles G. Dawes.

382
of 531 electoral votes
54%
popular vote
48.9%
turnout

Results

Vote breakdown
Calvin CoolidgeRepublican
54%(15.7M votes)
382 EV
John W. DavisDemocratic
28.8%(8.4M votes)
136 EV
Robert M. La FolletteProgressive
16.6%(4.8M votes)
13 EV
Voter turnout

48.9%

Turnout rate

28.9M

Total votes cast

56.0M

Eligible voters

State results
StateElectoral votesWinnerMargin
New York(NY)45
RepublicanCoolidge
+27.7%
Pennsylvania(PA)38
RepublicanCoolidge
+41%
Wisconsin(WI)13
ProgressiveLa Follette
+18%
Texas(TX)20
DemocraticDavis
+49%
California(CA)13
RepublicanCoolidge
+15.9%
Swing states
Ohio
Held
Electoral votes:24
Margin:26%
Previous:Harding
Wisconsin
Flipped
Electoral votes:13
Margin:18%
Previous:Harding

Candidates

Calvin Coolidge
Winner

Party

Republican

Running mate

Charles G. Dawes

Home state

Massachusetts

Age at election

52

Previous position

30th President of the United States (Incumbent)

Campaign slogan

"Keep Cool with Coolidge"

Popular vote

15.7M

(54%)

Electoral votes

382

John W. Davis

Party

Democratic

Running mate

Charles W. Bryan

Home state

West Virginia

Age at election

51

Previous position

U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom

Popular vote

8.4M

(28.8%)

Electoral votes

136

Robert M. La Follette

Party

Progressive

Running mate

Burton K. Wheeler

Home state

Wisconsin

Age at election

69

Previous position

U.S. Senator from Wisconsin

Popular vote

4.8M

(16.6%)

Electoral votes

13

Voting demographics

Business/Professional

Coolidge

65%

Industrial Workers

La Follette

40%

Farmers

La Follette

38%

Key events

Campaign timeline
major
August 1923

Harding Dies

Coolidge became president amid scandal revelations

major
1924

Democratic Convention

103 ballots took 17 days to nominate Davis

Issues & context

Key campaign issues
Prosperity ('Coolidge Prosperity')
Teapot Dome Scandal
Business Regulation
Farm Relief
Labor Rights
Historical context

Roaring Twenties prosperity. Democrats took 103 ballots to nominate compromise candidate. La Follette mounted strongest Progressive challenge since TR. Coolidge rode prosperity.

Economic conditions

'Coolidge Prosperity' - economic boom, stock market rising, consumption increasing. 'The business of America is business.'

Incumbent factors

Coolidge benefited from prosperity. Teapot Dome scandal hurt some Republicans but not Coolidge personally. Democrats divided. La Follette split progressive vote.

Legacy and impact

Coolidge declined to run in 1928. 'Roaring Twenties' continued. Crash of 1929 would follow. Progressive movement revived briefly with La Follette.

Did you know?

  • 1.Democratic convention took 103 ballots - longest ever
  • 2.La Follette won only his home state Wisconsin
  • 3.Coolidge was famous for saying little ('Silent Cal')
  • 4.First election broadcast on radio
  • 5.Lowest turnout until 1996

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.