Elections
George Washington was the unanimous choice of the electors who cast their presidential ballots in February 1789. The Constitution had not provided for the direct election of the chief executive, but instead had fashioned a more cumbersome Electoral College as a means of tempering democratic passions.
Federalist leaders generally agreed that John Adams should be the Vice President; a Massachusetts resident would help establish a regional balance in the Executive Branch. Alexander Hamilton wisely diverted a few votes from Adams in order to avoid the embarrassment of a tie vote. Each of the 69 electors was expected to cast two ballots. All voted for Washington, making him the unanimous choice as the first president.
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Election of 1789
Candidates
|
Party
|
Electoral
Vote
|
Popular
Vote
|
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George Washington (VA)
|
Federalist
|
69
|
*
|
|
John Adams (MA)
|
Federalist
|
34
|
|
|
John
Jay (NY)
|
Federalist
|
9
|
|
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John Rutledge (SC)
|
Federalist
|
6
|
|
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John Hancock (MA)
|
Federalist
|
4
|
|
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George Clinton (NY)
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Anti-Federalist
|
3
|
|
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Others
|
|
7
|
|
|
Electoral votes not cast
|
|
44
|
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*Popular vote totals were not retained until the Election of 1824. Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789 in New York City, the site of the capital for the next eighteen months. North Carolina would not ratify the Constitution until November 1789 and Rhode Island until 1790.
Off-site search results for "Election of 1789"... Election of 1789
... First Ladies 20th Century 500 Amistadt Civics History of Israel Other Links About Historycentral Advertise Contact US The Presidential Election of 1789 was an uncontested election with General Washington the only candidateElection of 1789 was an uncontested election with General Washington the only candidate for President.
http://www.historycentral.com/elections/1789.html
The Political Graveyard: Election of 1789
Questions? Return to The Political Graveyard main page. Election of 1789 Electoral College Details President and Vice President GEORGE WASHINGTON: 69 electoral votes Connecticut (7), Delaware (3), Georgia (5), Maryland (6), MassaElection of 1789 Electoral College Details President and Vice President GEORGE WASHINGTON: 69 electoral votes Connecticut (7), Delaware (3), Georgia (5), Maryland (6), Massachusetts (10 ...
http://politicalgraveyard.com/offices/pres-vp-1789.html
President Elect - 1789
1789 : OVERVIEW | BACKGROUND | STATE RESULTSTOP OF PAGE In 1789, 69 electoral votes were available to a candidate; 35 votes were needed to secure the win. Votes "not cast" are not included in the total. The method of choosing electors is listed ...
http://www.presidentelect.org/e1789.html
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