Who won California in the 1860 presidential election?

Lincoln (Republican) carried California in 1860, winning its 4 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did California have in 1860?

California cast 4 electoral votes in the 1860 presidential election.

Did California vote for the national winner in 1860?

Yes. California backed Abraham Lincoln, who won the presidency that year.

Civil WarCA · 4 EV

1860

California: Lincoln carries 4 EV.

California cast its 4 electoral votes for Lincoln (Republican). National winner: Abraham Lincoln (Republican) — California voted with the national winner this cycle.

California in 1860

The 1860 contest saw California line up behind Lincoln, delivering 4 electoral votes to the Republican ticket. That placed California with the eventual winner: Abraham Lincoln went on to take the presidency, and California was part of his column.

The result flipped California away from the Democratic ticket it had backed in each of the previous 2 cycles. California did not move alone — neighboring Oregon broke the same way in 1860. Over its 44 recorded presidential cycles, California has backed the Republican party more than any other — 22 times in all. The vote fell within the Civil War — Lincoln, war, and Reconstruction begins.

Nationally, Abraham Lincoln finished with 180 of the 303 electoral votes to John C. Breckinridge's 72. Abraham Lincoln led the national popular vote with 39.65% of the ballots cast.

The 1860 national map

California full history →