The American Vote
Candidate

John Adams

Federalist

Elections
4
Won
1
Electoral votes, all elections
247
Years
1789–1800

Record

John Adams: result of each presidential election
YearElectoral votesPopular voteResult
1789
34
of 138
Not computed
state counts not sourced
Second (two votes per elector)
1792
77
of 264
Not computed
state counts not sourced
Second (two votes per elector)
1796
71
of 138
Not computed
state counts not sourced
Won
1800
65
of 138
Not computed
state counts not sourced
Lost (House chose another)

Popular vote is the sum of the sourced state counts, shown only where every state that held a popular vote has one; sums from county returns (1868–1972) can run a few tenths of a point below national totals published elsewhere. In 1789, 1792, 1796, 1800 each elector cast two votes for president, so electoral votes are votes received out of twice the number of electors.

Electoral votesNational Archives, Electoral College results: 1789, 1792, 1796, 1800 (public domain, read 2026-10-03). How these figures were compiled

Election by election

1789Federalist · Second (two votes per elector)

From the National Archives

For all intents and purposes, Washington was unopposed for election as President. Under the system then in place, votes for Vice President were not differentiated from votes for President.

National Archives, Electoral College results for 1789, archives.gov, read October 3, 2026. Quoted as published.

1792Federalist · Second (two votes per elector)

From the National Archives

Prior to ratification of the 12th Amendment in 1804, each elector was given two votes and required to cast each for a different person. The person with the highest total of votes was elected President and the person with the second highest total was elected Vice President.

National Archives, Electoral College results for 1792, archives.gov, read October 3, 2026. Quoted as published.

1796Federalist · Won

From the National Archives

Prior to ratification of the 12th Amendment in 1804, each elector was given two votes and required to cast each for a different person. The person with the highest total of votes was elected President and the person with the second highest total was elected Vice President.

National Archives, Electoral College results for 1796, archives.gov, read October 3, 2026. Quoted as published.

1800Federalist · Lost (House chose another)

From the National Archives

Prior to ratification of the 12th Amendment in 1804, each elector was given two votes and required to cast each for a different person. The person with the highest total of votes was elected President and the person with the second highest total was elected Vice President. Even though John Adams ran as Jefferson's main opponent in the general election, Jefferson and Burr tied with the highest number of electoral votes. The election was decided in the House of Representatives, with 10 State delegations voting for Jefferson, 4 voting for Burr and 2 making no choice.

National Archives, Electoral College results for 1800, archives.gov, read October 3, 2026. Quoted as published.

Stories from these elections