1820 U.S. Presidential Election: The Last President Who Ran Unopposed, James Monroe

 

What is the highest amount of electoral votes? Is it possible to get all the electoral votes? James Monroe came closest with 228 (after unanimously elected George Washington, who clearly does not count), but even though he was the last president to run unopposed, he did not even catch everyone.

Era of good feelings

In 1820, America was still in the golden years of the era of its good, a time when the Americans were united after the War of 1812. The Federalist Party was on its last legs, and the Democratic-Republican Party, the champion of American exceptionalism and expansion, seemed invincible. Four years ago, James Munro had so badly elected Rufus King in the presidential election that the Confederates did not bother to nominate anyone for the 1820 election, and it is easy to see why: Monroe's in the White House The initial term was almost completed. Political pleasure. As the Federalist Party melted into existence, Monroe could easily ignore everyone from that group, but he chose appointments regardless of party lines. He spoke to the common people, he listened and most importantly, he maintained the status quo.

Munro did such a job of leading the country that the Democratic-Republican nomination caucus was not really needed, but 40 delegates still attended, if only to see each other and go, "So Monroe and Tomkins, right? "Yes, yes, for sure, Munro and Tomkins." As popular as Monroe was, however, his V.P. Before the caucus was almost replaced. Daniel D. Tompkins did not perform brilliantly and began campaigning for the governor of New York, but fortunately (or not, depending on your point of view), he lost. Instead of nominating a new Vice Presidential candidate, the caucus decided to leave Tomkins after losing the state election.

The (Other) Missouri Agreement

Munro was not to drive, but it was not a smooth sailing. Even with a second word, but everyone was assured, it was the way to exclude electoral votes. In November 1820, Congress disagreed as to whether Missouri could be admitted to the Union for violating the Constitution of the United States.

Munroe, which received Missouri's electoral votes, was originally a done deal, but if Congress allowed Missouri to pass through the votes, they would briefly give Missouri state status with an unconstitutional state constitution. Missouri had only two electoral votes, but it was considered necessary that they be elected to Monroe. Instead of making him a true blue state, it was agreed that his electoral votes would be cast but Missouri would not be able to take advantage of the state for nearly a year.

A lone decanter

Although Monroe ran unopposed, he received only 80% of the vote. The Federalists, who failed to field a candidate, received 16% of the popular vote, although this did not help them in the Electoral College. Meanwhile, New Hampshire's William Plummer refused to give the state's single vote for president, with Secretary of State John Quincy Adams chosen. Plummer, who was not impressed by Munroe's first term as nearly everyone, declared that his vote was "a protest against the useless wastage of the Monroe administration."

With this one dissatisfied vote, however, James Munro's election earned him more electoral votes than any candidate, which was never followed. The only person who has even come close is F.D.R. In 1936, Alf Landon's Eight with 523.