In 1888, Benjamin Harrison (Republican) won 233 of 401 electoral votes, defeating Grover Cleveland by 65 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: 80.5% vs 54.2%.
vs
1888
Gilded Age
Benjamin Harrison
Republican
Electoral votes
233 of 401
EV margin
65
Popular vote
47.8%
Turnout
80.5%
Runner-up
Grover Cleveland (Dem)
Incumbent Grover Cleveland won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College to Republican Benjamin Harrison, grandson of President William Henry Harrison. The election centered on the tariff — Harrison championed high protective tariffs while Cleveland sought reduction. Harrison carried the key states of New York and Indiana. Cleveland's gracious acceptance of defeat ('I have tried so hard to do right') was widely admired; he would return to win back the presidency four years later.
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.