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Election of 1812

James Madison, the Democratic-Republican incumbent, sought a second term in 1812. He was opposed by a prominent New York politician, DeWitt Clinton, the Federalist candidate. The conduct of the War of 1812 was the prime issue. The Federalists were generally opposed to the conflict, but managed to criticize Madison for the setbacks encountered in the early going. They also expressed exasperation with the continuing production of presidents from Virginia. The poor showing of American soldiers in the war's first months largely contributed to the election's close result.

Election of 1812
Candidates
Party
Electoral
Vote
Popular
Vote
James Madison (Virginia)
Elbridge Gerry (Mass.)
Democratic-Republican
128
*
DeWitt Clinton (New York)
Jared Ingersoll (Penna.)
Federalist
89

*Popular vote totals were not retained until the Election of 1824. NOTE: Three electors who had voted for Clinton for president cast their vice presidential ballots for Gerry.
CT
9
NC
15
DE
4
OH
7
GA
8
PA
25
KY
12
RI
4
LA
3
SC
11
MD
6/5
TN
8
MA
22
VT
8
NH
8
VA
25
NJ
8


NY
29