First American presidential election of 1788 - 1789

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NOTE: Until the election of 1804, the second place winner would be vice president. According to the original Constitutional electoral process, electors would choose two candidates to give an electoral vote to.

Dates

Monday, December 15, 1788 - Saturday, January 10, 1789. It is the only presidential election to take place in two different years.

Presidential candidates

• George Washington, independent
• John Adams, Federalist
• John Jay, Federalist
• John Rutledge, Federalist
• John Hancock, Federalist
• Samuel Huntington, Federalist
• Benjamin Lincoln, Federalist
• George Clinton, Anti-Federalist

Campaigning & major issues

Everyone knew George Washington would win the presidency, with the only question being vice president. In fact, all other candidates besides Washington were running more for vice president than president. Many expected John Adams to win, but if he also got the unanimous vote, him and Washington would technically be tied, meaning Congress would have to vote. This would look embarrassing for the new country. Because of this, electors were talked into voting for other candidates.

Results

35 electoral votes needed to win; 69 in total.

Less than 1.3% of the population voted.

First place (president-elect): George Washington

-69/69 electoral votes

Popular vote: 99.9% (number unknown)

Second place (vice president-elect): John Adams

-34/69 electoral votes

Popular vote unknown

Third place: John Jay

-9/69 electoral votes

Popular vote unknown

Fourth Place: Robert Harrison & John Rutledge

-6/69 electoral votes

Popular vote unknown

Fifth place: John Hancock

-4/69 electoral votes

Popular vote unknown

Sixth place: Samuel Huntington & John Milton

-2/69 electoral votes

Popular vote unknown

Seventh place: Benjamin Lincoln & Edward Telfair

-1/69 electoral votes

Popular vote unknown