Who won the election?

Who won the election?

• A. Technically Samuel Tilden but actually Rutherford B. Hayes
• B. Samuel Tilden
• C. Rutherford B. Hayes
• D. There was no winner

Answer: (A)

In presidential elections, the winner is determined by the Electoral College, not just the national popular vote. In 1876, several states had disputed electoral returns, and a bipartisan Electoral Commission ultimately awarded the disputed votes to Rutherford B. Hayes, giving him the presidency by one electoral vote even though Samuel J. Tilden had won the popular vote and was ahead in several electoral counts before the decision. That combination leads to saying the outcome was that Tilden won the popular vote, but Hayes won the electoral vote and thus the election. This famous result was ultimately resolved by the Compromise of 1877 and marked the end of Reconstruction.

In presidential elections, the winner is determined by the Electoral College, not just the national popular vote. In 1876, several states had disputed electoral returns, and a bipartisan Electoral Commission ultimately awarded the disputed votes to Rutherford B. Hayes, giving him the presidency by one electoral vote even though Samuel J. Tilden had won the popular vote and was ahead in several electoral counts before the decision. That combination leads to saying the outcome was that Tilden won the popular vote, but Hayes won the electoral vote and thus the election. This famous result was ultimately resolved by the Compromise of 1877 and marked the end of Reconstruction.