The American Vote
Gilded AgeNJ · 9 EV

1888

New Jersey: Cleveland carries 9 EV.
New Jersey cast its 9 electoral votes for Cleveland (Democratic). National winner: Benjamin Harrison (Republican) — New Jersey voted against the national winner this cycle.

What happened in New Jersey, 1888

In 1888, New Jersey awarded its 9 electoral votes to Cleveland of the Democratic party. The presidency went elsewhere: Benjamin Harrison (Republican) won nationally, while New Jersey had backed a different ticket.

New Jersey stayed in the Democratic column for the 7th straight cycle, extending a run that began in 1864. The region divided — Delaware joined New Jersey for the Democratic ticket, while New York and Pennsylvania did not. Over its 60 recorded presidential cycles, New Jersey has backed the Democratic party more than any other — 31 times in all. The vote fell within the Gilded Age — Industrialization, narrow margins, and patronage politics.

Nationally, Benjamin Harrison finished with 233 of the 401 electoral votes to Grover Cleveland's 168. Though Benjamin Harrison won the Electoral College, Grover Cleveland drew more of the national popular vote — 48.63% to 47.8%.

The 1888 national map
New Jersey full history →
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New Jersey in nearby cycles