1868
1875
Reconstruction
Elections
| Year | Winner | Electoral votes | Popular vote | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1868 | Ulysses S. Grant | 214 of 294 | 3,013,099 52.7% | Horatio Seymour 80 electoral votes |
| 1872 | Ulysses S. Grant | 286 of 352 | Not computed 36 of 37 states sourced | Horace Greeley 0 electoral votes |
Popular vote is the sum of the sourced state counts, shown only where every state that held a popular vote has one; sums from county returns (1868–1972) can run a few tenths of a point below national totals published elsewhere.
Electoral votesNational Archives, Electoral College results: 1868, 1872 . How these figures were compiled
SourceThe World Almanac for 1873 . How these figures were compiled
Closest and widest margins
1868Ulysses S. Grant, 214 of 294 electoral votes · margin 134
1872Ulysses S. Grant, 286 of 352 electoral votes · margin 244
Margin is the winner’s electoral votes minus those of the next-highest candidate, as on the closest-elections ranking. Elections of 1789–1800 (two votes per elector) and those decided by the House are not ranked.
*The electoral votes of Georgia were contested and the Senate and the House of Representatives could not agree whether to accept – and count – them or not. Grant was the clear winner in either case.
National Archives, Electoral College results for 1868, archives.gov, read October 3, 2026. Quoted as published.
1 Horace Greeley died November 29, 1872, after the election, but before the meeting of the electors. By resolution of the House, the 3 electoral votes cast for him were not counted.
2 Following Greeley's death, electors in several states cast their votes variously for President or Vice President. Benjamin Gratz Brown, Greeley's running mate, received 18 electoral votes for President and 47 electoral votes for Vice President. Several others received electoral votes for either President or Vice President.
3 Vice President Henry Wilson died in Washington, D.C., on November 22, 1875.
National Archives, Electoral College results for 1872, archives.gov, read October 3, 2026. Quoted as published.
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