1868 Election Results Grant vs seymour

General Ulysses Grant received a unanimous vote on the first ballot at the Republican convention. Grant had emerged from the Civil War as the most popular hero.

Grant's Democratic opponent was Horatio Seymour of New York. Seymour was an extremely reluctant nominee, saying he would not be the candidate. In the end, the Democrats forced Seymour to run. He gained the nickname "the Great Decliner."

Grant did not campaign and made no promises. Seymour broke with tradition and campaigned actively in the North.

The Republicans promised continued radical reconstruction in the South. Democrats, on the other hand, promised more swift reintegration of the South. The Democrats attacked the Republicans for their promises of reconstruction. Republicans claimed the Democrats were going to give up all that was accomplished in the Civil War. They also attacked Grant for being a drunkard. Ultimately, it was Grant's personal popularity that determined the outcome of the election.

Participation of Eligible Voters:71.3%

Democratic Convention
Republican Convention

 

State results in 1868

Electoral Results in 1868

Alabama Ulysses Grant 76,667 51.3 Horatio Seymour 72,921 48.7
Arkansas Ulysses Grant 22,112 53.7 Horatio Seymour 19,078 46.3
California Ulysses Grant 54,588 50.2 Horatio Seymour 54,068 49.8
Connecticut Ulysses Grant 50,789 51.5 Horatio Seymour 47,781 48.5
Delaware Ulysses Grant 7,614 41.0 Horatio Seymour 10,957 59.0
Georgia Ulysses Grant 57,109 35.7 Horatio Seymour 102,707 64.3
Illinois Ulysses Grant 250,304 55.7 Horatio Seymour 199,116 44.3
Indiana Ulysses Grant 176,548 51.4 Horatio Seymour 166,980 48.6
Iowa Ulysses Grant 120,399 61.9 Horatio Seymour 74,040 38.1
Kansas Ulysses Grant 30,027 68.8 Horatio Seymour 13,600 31.2
Kentucky Ulysses Grant 39,566 25.5 Horatio Seymour 115,889 74.5
Louisiana Ulysses Grant 33,263 29.3 Horatio Seymour 80,225 70.7
Maine Ulysses Grant 70,502 62.4 Horatio Seymour 42,460 37.6
Maryland Ulysses Grant 30,438 32.8 Horatio Seymour 62,357 67.2
Massachusetts Ulysses Grant 136,379 69.8 Horatio Seymour 59,103 30.2
Michigan Ulysses Grant 128,563 57.0 Horatio Seymour 97,069 43.0
Minnesota Ulysses Grant 43,545 60.8 Horatio Seymour 28,075 39.2
Missouri Ulysses Grant 86,860 57.0 Horatio Seymour 65,628 43.0
Nebraska Ulysses Grant 9,772 63.9 Horatio Seymour 5,519 36.1
Nevada Ulysses Grant 6,474 55.4 Horatio Seymour 5,215 44.6
New Hampshire Ulysses Grant 37,718 55.2 Horatio Seymour 30,575 44.8
New Jersey Ulysses Grant 80,132 49.1 Horatio Seymour 83,001 50.9
New York Ulysses Grant 419,888 49.4 Horatio Seymour 429,883 50.6
North Carolina Ulysses Grant 96,939 53.4 Horatio Seymour 84,559 46.6
Ohio Ulysses Grant 280,159 54.0 Horatio Seymour 238,506 46.0
Oregon Ulysses Grant 10,961 49.6 Horatio Seymour 11,125 50.4
Pennsylvania Ulysses Grant 342,280 52.2 Horatio Seymour 313,382 47.8
Rhode Island Ulysses Grant 13,017 66.7 Horatio Seymour 6,494 33.3
South Carolina Ulysses Grant 62,301 57.9 Horatio Seymour 45,237 42.1
Tennessee Ulysses Grant 56,628 68.4 Horatio Seymour 26,129 31.6
Vermont Ulysses Grant 44,173 78.6 Horatio Seymour 12,051 21.4
West Virginia Ulysses Grant 29,015 58.8 Horatio Seymour 20,306 41.2
Wisconsin Ulysses Grant 108,920 56.3 Horatio Seymour 84,708 43.7

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