The American Vote
Progressive EraCycle 33 / 60

1916

Woodrow Wilson and the 1916 map.
Woodrow Wilson (Democratic) defeated Charles Evans Hughes (Republican), 49.2% to 46.1%.
Wilson
277 EV
Hughes
254 EV
0270 to win → 266531
The map · 1916
31 states for Dem · 17 for Rep
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Narrative

Woodrow Wilson and the 1916 map

Wilson narrowly won re-election over Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes on the slogan 'He kept us out of war,' as Europe was embroiled in World War I. Hughes was ahead on election night — the New York Times even declared him the winner — but Wilson took California by fewer than 4,000 votes to win the presidency. Wilson would ask Congress to declare war on Germany just five weeks after his second inauguration, making the campaign slogan bitterly ironic.

Key issue

World War I neutrality; progressive domestic reforms (Federal Reserve, labor laws)

Notable

'He kept us out of war' — Wilson declared war 5 weeks after his inauguration; Hughes led on election night

States · 48 reporting