Who won Minnesota in the 1856 presidential election?

Fremont (Republican) carried Minnesota in 1856, winning its 4 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did Minnesota have in 1856?

Minnesota cast 4 electoral votes in the 1856 presidential election.

Did Minnesota vote for the national winner in 1856?

No. Minnesota backed Fremont, while James Buchanan won the presidency nationally.

Antebellum CrisisMN · 4 EV

1856

Minnesota: Fremont carries 4 EV.

Minnesota cast its 4 electoral votes for Fremont (Republican). National winner: James Buchanan (Democratic) — Minnesota voted against the national winner this cycle.

Reading the 1856 result in Minnesota

Minnesota backed Fremont (Republican) in the 1856 presidential election, casting 4 electoral votes for the ticket. The presidency went elsewhere: James Buchanan (Democratic) won nationally, while Minnesota had backed a different ticket.

1856 was the first presidential election in which Minnesota cast electoral votes. Minnesota did not move alone — neighboring Iowa and Wisconsin broke the same way in 1856. Over its 43 recorded presidential cycles, Minnesota has backed the Democratic party more than any other — 23 times in all. The vote fell within the Antebellum Crisis — Slavery splits the parties.

Nationally, James Buchanan finished with 174 of the 296 electoral votes to John C. Frémont's 114. James Buchanan led the national popular vote with 45.29% of the ballots cast.

The 1856 national map

Minnesota full history →