Who won California in the 1856 presidential election?

Buchanan (Democratic) carried California in 1856, winning its 4 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did California have in 1856?

California cast 4 electoral votes in the 1856 presidential election.

Did California vote for the national winner in 1856?

Yes. California backed James Buchanan, who won the presidency that year.

Antebellum CrisisCA · 4 EV

1856

California: Buchanan carries 4 EV.

California cast its 4 electoral votes for Buchanan (Democratic). National winner: James Buchanan (Democratic) — California voted with the national winner this cycle.

Reading the 1856 result in California

California backed Buchanan (Democratic) in the 1856 presidential election, casting 4 electoral votes for the ticket. California ended up on the winning side — James Buchanan captured the White House that year.

It marked the 2nd consecutive election in which California backed the Democratic party, a streak reaching back to 1852. Across the 44 presidential elections California has taken part in, it has most often sided with the Republican party (22 times). The vote fell within the Antebellum Crisis — Slavery splits the parties.

In the national count, James Buchanan took 174 of the 296 electoral votes, against John C. Frémont's 114. James Buchanan led the national popular vote with 45.29% of the ballots cast.

The 1856 national map

California full history →