Who won California in the 1868 presidential election?

Seymour (Democratic) carried California in 1868, winning its 5 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did California have in 1868?

California cast 5 electoral votes in the 1868 presidential election.

Did California vote for the national winner in 1868?

No. California backed Seymour, while Ulysses S. Grant won the presidency nationally.

ReconstructionCA · 5 EV

1868

California: Seymour carries 5 EV.

California cast its 5 electoral votes for Seymour (Democratic). National winner: Ulysses S. Grant (Republican) — California voted against the national winner this cycle.

Reading the 1868 result in California

California backed Seymour (Democratic) in the 1868 presidential election, casting 5 electoral votes for the ticket. The presidency went elsewhere: Ulysses S. Grant (Republican) won nationally, while California had backed a different ticket.

The result flipped California away from the Republican ticket it had backed in each of the previous 2 cycles. The region divided — Oregon joined California for the Democratic ticket, while Nevada did not. 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 Reconstruction — Republican rule and contested returns.

Nationally, Ulysses S. Grant finished with 214 of the 294 electoral votes to Horatio Seymour's 80. Ulysses S. Grant led the national popular vote with 52.66% of the ballots cast.

The 1868 national map

California full history →