In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) won 185 of 369 electoral votes, defeating Samuel J. Tilden by 1 EV during the Gilded Age era. In 2000, George W. Bush (Republican) won 271 of 538, defeating Al Gore by 5 EV during the Modern Polarization era. Turnout: 82.6% vs 54.2%.
vs
1876
Gilded Age
Rutherford B. Hayes
Republican
Electoral votes
185 of 369
EV margin
1
Popular vote
47.9%
Turnout
82.6%
Runner-up
Samuel J. Tilden (Dem)
The most disputed election in US history until 2000, with Democrat Samuel Tilden winning the popular vote and initially appearing to win the Electoral College. Twenty electoral votes in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon were contested, with both parties submitting competing slates of electors. A special Electoral Commission voted 8-7 along party lines to award all disputed votes to Hayes. The resulting 'Compromise of 1877' ended Reconstruction as Hayes withdrew federal troops from the South.
2000
Modern Polarization
George W. Bush
Republican
Electoral votes
271 of 538
EV margin
5
Popular vote
47.9%
Turnout
54.2%
Runner-up
Al Gore (Dem)
One of the closest and most disputed elections in US history. After 36 days of recounts in Florida, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Bush v. Gore to halt the recount, awarding Florida and the presidency to Bush. Gore won the national popular vote by over 543,000 but lost the Electoral College 271-266. Ralph Nader's Green Party candidacy won 97,421 votes in Florida — far more than Bush's final margin of 537 — making Nader a controversial spoiler. One Gore elector from DC abstained in protest.