1832 United States presidential election — 12th quadrennial U.S. presidential election
The 1832 election introduced presidential nominating conventions and resulted in Jackson's decisive re-election, reshaping the American party system.
Key Facts
- Jackson electoral votes
- 219 of 288
- Clay popular vote share
- 37.4%
- Wirt electoral votes
- 7.8% popular vote; carried Vermont
- Election dates
- November 2 – December 5, 1832
- First use of
- Presidential nominating conventions
- SC electoral votes
- Cast for John Floyd by state legislature
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Andrew Jackson's first term was marked by the Bank War and controversy over his use of executive power, yet he retained broad popular support. The Democratic Party sought to consolidate behind him while replacing the unpopular Vice President John C. Calhoun with Martin Van Buren on the ticket.
Held between November 2 and December 5, 1832, the election was the first to use formal nominating conventions across major parties. Jackson won a clear majority of both the popular vote and 219 of 288 electoral votes, defeating National Republican Henry Clay and Anti-Masonic candidate William Wirt. South Carolina, uniquely, assigned its electoral votes by legislative action to Virginia Governor John Floyd.
Jackson's decisive victory affirmed his populist mandate and the Democratic Party's dominance. In the aftermath, the National Republicans and the Anti-Masonic Party merged to form the Whig Party, which became the Democrats' principal opposition for the following two decades, restructuring the Second Party System.
Political Outcome
Andrew Jackson (Democratic) re-elected with 219 electoral votes; Henry Clay (National Republican) received 49; William Wirt (Anti-Masonic) received 7.
Jackson first term; John C. Calhoun as Vice President
Jackson second term; Martin Van Buren as Vice President