1808 United States presidential election

Presidential elections were held in the United States from November 4 to December 7, 1808. The Democratic-Republican candidate James Madison defeated Federalist candidate Charles Cotesworth Pinckney decisively. Madison had served as Secretary of State since President Thomas Jefferson took office in 1801. Jefferson, who had declined to run for a third term, threw his strong support behind Madison, a fellow Virginian. Sitting Vice President George Clinton and former Ambassador James Monroe both challenged Madison for leadership of the party, but Madison won his party's nomination and Clinton was renominated as vice president. The Federalists chose to re-nominate Pinckney, a former ambassador who had served as the party's 1804 nominee, again alongside Rufus King. Despite the unpopularity of the Embargo Act of 1807, Madison won the vast majority of electoral votes outside of the Federalist stronghold of New England. Clinton received six electoral votes for president from his home state of New York. This election was the first of two instances in American history in which a new president was selected but the incumbent vice president won re-election, the other being in 1828.

Infobox

Party

Democratic-Republican

Nominee

James Madison

Turnout

36.8% 13.0 pp

Percentage

65.0%

Home state

Virginia

Popular vote

124,964

Running mate

George Clinton

Electoral vote

122

States carried

Tables

· Nominations › Democratic-Republican Party nomination

James Madison

Democratic-Republican Party1808 Democratic-Republican Party Ticket

James Madison

Democratic-Republican Party1808 Democratic-Republican Party Ticket

George Clinton

for President

Democratic-Republican Party1808 Democratic-Republican Party Ticket

for President

Democratic-Republican Party1808 Democratic-Republican Party Ticket

for Vice President

5thU.S. Secretary of State(1801–1809)

Democratic-Republican Party1808 Democratic-Republican Party Ticket

5thU.S. Secretary of State(1801–1809)

Democratic-Republican Party1808 Democratic-Republican Party Ticket

4thVice President of the United States(1805–1812)

Democratic-Republican Party1808 Democratic-Republican Party Ticket

James Madison

George Clinton

for President

for Vice President

5thU.S. Secretary of State(1801–1809)

4thVice President of the United States(1805–1812)

· Nominations › Democratic-Republican Party nomination › Balloting

James Madison

Presidential Ballot

James Madison

Total

Vice Presidential Ballot

George Clinton

Total

James Monroe

Presidential Ballot

James Monroe

Total

Vice Presidential Ballot

John Langdon

Total

George Clinton

Presidential Ballot

George Clinton

Total

Vice Presidential Ballot

Henry Dearborn

Total

Presidential Ballot	Total	Vice Presidential Ballot	Total
James Madison	83	George Clinton	79
James Monroe	3	John Langdon	5
George Clinton	3	Henry Dearborn	3
		John Quincy Adams	1

· Nominations › Federalist Party nomination

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Federalist Party1808 Federalist Party Ticket

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Federalist Party1808 Federalist Party Ticket

Rufus King

for President

Federalist Party1808 Federalist Party Ticket

for President

Federalist Party1808 Federalist Party Ticket

for Vice President

6th U.S. Ministerto France(1796–1797)

Federalist Party1808 Federalist Party Ticket

6th U.S. Ministerto France(1796–1797)

Federalist Party1808 Federalist Party Ticket

3rd U.S. Ministerto Great Britain(1796–1803)

Federalist Party1808 Federalist Party Ticket

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Rufus King

for President

for Vice President

6th U.S. Ministerto France(1796–1797)

3rd U.S. Ministerto Great Britain(1796–1803)

Electoral results · General election › Results

Count

Presidential candidate

Count

Party

Percentage

Home state

Vice-presidential candidate

Popular vote(a), (b)

Home state

Popular vote(a), (b)

Electoral vote(c)

James Madison

Presidential candidate

James Madison

Party

Democratic-Republican

Home state

Virginia

Popular vote(a), (b)

124,964

Popular vote(a), (b)

64.97%

Electoralvote(c)

122

Running mate

George Clinton (incumbent)

Running mate

New York

Running mate

113

John Langdon

Presidential candidate

John Langdon

Party

New Hampshire

Home state

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Presidential candidate

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Party

Federalist

Home state

South Carolina

Popular vote(a), (b)

60,976

Popular vote(a), (b)

31.70%

Electoralvote(c)

Running mate

Rufus King

Running mate

New York

Running mate

George Clinton

Presidential candidate

George Clinton

Party

Democratic-Republican

Home state

New York

Popular vote(a), (b)

—

Popular vote(a), (b)

—

Electoralvote(c)

Running mate

James Madison

Running mate

Virginia

Running mate

James Monroe

Presidential candidate

James Monroe

Party

Virginia

Home state

James Monroe

Presidential candidate

James Monroe

Party

Democratic-Republican

Home state

Virginia

Popular vote(a), (b)

5,618

Popular vote(a), (b)

2.92%

Electoralvote(c)

Running mate

None

Running mate

N/A

Running mate

Unpledged electors

Presidential candidate

Unpledged electors

Party

None

Home state

N/A

Popular vote(a), (b)

776

Popular vote(a), (b)

0.40%

Electoralvote(c)

Running mate

N/A

Running mate

N/A

Running mate

Total

Presidential candidate

Total

Party

192,334

Home state

100%

Popular vote(a), (b)

175

Electoralvote(c)

175

Needed to win

Presidential candidate

Needed to win

Party

Popular vote(a), (b)

Presidential candidate	Party	Home state	Popular vote(a), (b)		Electoralvote(c)	Running mate
			Count	Percentage		Vice-presidential candidate	Home state	Electoral vote(c)
James Madison	Democratic-Republican	Virginia	124,964	64.97%	122	George Clinton (incumbent)	New York	113
						John Langdon	New Hampshire	9
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney	Federalist	South Carolina	60,976	31.70%	47	Rufus King	New York	47
George Clinton	Democratic-Republican	New York	—	—	6	James Madison	Virginia	3
						James Monroe	Virginia	3
James Monroe	Democratic-Republican	Virginia	5,618	2.92%	0	None	N/A	0
Unpledged electors	None	N/A	776	0.40%	0	N/A	N/A	0
Total			192,334	100%	175			175
Needed to win					89			89

· General election › Electoral votes by state

JMaTooltip James Madison

State

JMaTooltip James Madison

Electoralvotes

GCTooltip George Clinton (vice president)

For President

CCPTooltip Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

For President

GCTooltip George Clinton (vice president)

For President

JMaTooltip James Madison

For Vice President

JMoTooltip James Monroe

For Vice President

JLTooltip John Langdon (politician)

For Vice President

RKTooltip Rufus King

For Vice President

Connecticut

State

Connecticut

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Delaware

State

Delaware

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Georgia

State

Georgia

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Kentucky

State

Kentucky

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

Maryland

State

Maryland

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Massachusetts

State

Massachusetts

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

New Hampshire

State

New Hampshire

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

New Jersey

State

New Jersey

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

New York

State

New York

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

North Carolina

State

North Carolina

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Ohio

State

Ohio

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Pennsylvania

State

Pennsylvania

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Rhode Island

State

Rhode Island

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

South Carolina

State

South Carolina

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Tennessee

State

Tennessee

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Vermont

State

Vermont

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

Virginia

State

Virginia

Electoralvotes

For President

—

For President

—

For President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

For Vice President

—

TOTAL

State

TOTAL

Electoralvotes

175

For President

122

For President

For Vice President

113

For Vice President

TO WIN

State

TO WIN

Electoralvotes

For President

State	Electoralvotes	For President				For Vice President
State	Electoralvotes	JMaTooltip James Madison	GCTooltip George Clinton (vice president)	CCPTooltip Charles Cotesworth Pinckney	B	GCTooltip George Clinton (vice president)	JMaTooltip James Madison	JMoTooltip James Monroe	JLTooltip John Langdon (politician)	RKTooltip Rufus King	B
Connecticut	9	—	—	9	—	—	—	—	—	9	—
Delaware	3	—	—	3	—	—	—	—	—	3	—
Georgia	6	6	—	—	—	6	—	—	—	—	—
Kentucky	8	7	—	—	1	7	—	—	—	—	1
Maryland	11	9	—	2	—	9	—	—	—	2	—
Massachusetts	19	—	—	19	—	—	—	—	—	19	—
New Hampshire	7	—	—	7	—	—	—	—	—	7	—
New Jersey	8	8	—	—	—	8	—	—	—	—	—
New York	19	13	6	—	—	13	3	3	—	—	—
North Carolina	14	11	—	3	—	11	—	—	—	3	—
Ohio	3	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	—	—
Pennsylvania	20	20	—	—	—	20	—	—	—	—	—
Rhode Island	4	—	—	4	—	—	—	—	—	4	—
South Carolina	10	10	—	—	—	10	—	—	—	—	—
Tennessee	5	5	—	—	—	5	—	—	—	—	—
Vermont	6	6	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	—	—
Virginia	24	24	—	—	—	24	—	—	—	—	—
TOTAL	175	122	6	47	1	113	3	3	9	47	1
TO WIN	89					89

· Popular vote by state

Kentucky

State

Kentucky

James Madison Democratic-Republican

2,679+

James Madison Democratic-Republican

76.89%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

1.55%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

No ballots

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

751

Other

21.56%

Other

1,874

Margin

53.78%

Maryland

State

Maryland

James Madison Democratic-Republican

15,336

James Madison Democratic-Republican

67.30%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

7,433

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

32.62%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

No ballots

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

Other

0.08%

Other

7,885

Margin

34.60%

New Hampshire

State

New Hampshire

James Madison Democratic-Republican

12,793

James Madison Democratic-Republican

47.59%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

14,085

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

52.40%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

No ballots

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

Other

0.01%

Other

-1,288

Margin

-4.8%

New Jersey

State

New Jersey

James Madison Democratic-Republican

18,670

James Madison Democratic-Republican

55.97%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

14,687

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

44.03%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

No ballots

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

Other

0.01%

Other

3,980

Margin

11.93%

North Carolina

State

North Carolina

James Madison Democratic-Republican

9,932+

James Madison Democratic-Republican

52.70%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

7,975+

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

42.32%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

939+

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

4.98%

Other

No ballots

Other

1,018

Margin

5.40%

Ohio

State

Ohio

James Madison Democratic-Republican

3,645

James Madison Democratic-Republican

60.82%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

1,174

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

19.59%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

1,174

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

19.59%

Other

No ballots

Other

2,471

Margin

41.23%

Pennsylvania

State

Pennsylvania

James Madison Democratic-Republican

42,518

James Madison Democratic-Republican

78.37%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

11,735

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

21.63%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

No ballots

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

No ballots

Other

30,783

Other

56.74%

Rhode Island

State

Rhode Island

James Madison Democratic-Republican

2,692

James Madison Democratic-Republican

46.70%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

3,072

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

53.30%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

No ballots

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

No ballots

Other

-380

Other

-6.60%

Tennessee

State

Tennessee

James Madison Democratic-Republican

1,016

James Madison Democratic-Republican

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

Other

Margin

Virginia

State

Virginia

James Madison Democratic-Republican

15,683

James Madison Democratic-Republican

78.62%

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

761

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist

3.81%

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

3,505

James Monroe Democratic-Republican

17.57%

Other

No ballots

Other

12,178

Margin

61.05%

State	James Madison Democratic-Republican		Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist		James Monroe Democratic-Republican		Other		Margin		Citation
	#	%	#	%	#	%	#	%	#	%
Kentucky	2,679+	76.89%	54	1.55%	No ballots		751	21.56%	1,874	53.78%
Maryland	15,336	67.30%	7,433	32.62%	No ballots		18	0.08%	7,885	34.60%
New Hampshire	12,793	47.59%	14,085	52.40%	No ballots		4	0.01%	-1,288	-4.8%
New Jersey	18,670	55.97%	14,687	44.03%	No ballots		3	0.01%	3,980	11.93%
North Carolina	9,932+	52.70%	7,975+	42.32%	939+	4.98%	No ballots		1,018	5.40%
Ohio	3,645	60.82%	1,174	19.59%	1,174	19.59%	No ballots		2,471	41.23%
Pennsylvania	42,518	78.37%	11,735	21.63%	No ballots		No ballots		30,783	56.74%
Rhode Island	2,692	46.70%	3,072	53.30%	No ballots		No ballots		-380	-6.60%
Tennessee	1,016	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Virginia	15,683	78.62%	761	3.81%	3,505	17.57%	No ballots		12,178	61.05%

· Electoral college selection

Each Elector appointed by state legislature

Method of choosing electors

Each Elector appointed by state legislature

State(s)

mw- .mw- Connecticut Delaware Georgia Massachusetts New York South Carolina Vermont

Each Elector chosen by voters statewide

Method of choosing electors

Each Elector chosen by voters statewide

State(s)

New Hampshire New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Virginia

State is divided into two electoral districts and half the electors are chosen from each district.

Method of choosing electors

State is divided into two electoral districts and half the electors are chosen from each district.

State(s)

Kentucky

State is divided into electoral districts, with one Elector chosen per district by the voters of that district

Method of choosing electors

State is divided into electoral districts, with one Elector chosen per district by the voters of that district

State(s)

Maryland North Carolina Tennessee

Method of choosing electors	State(s)
Each Elector appointed by state legislature	mw- Connecticut Delaware Georgia Massachusetts New York South Carolina Vermont
Each Elector chosen by voters statewide	New Hampshire New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Virginia
State is divided into two electoral districts and half the electors are chosen from each district.	Kentucky
State is divided into electoral districts, with one Elector chosen per district by the voters of that district	Maryland North Carolina Tennessee

References

All non-Madison electors were reported under an "others" section.
United States Election Project
http://www.electproject.org/national-1789-present
National Party Conventions, 1831-1976
Encyclopedia of American Political Parties and Elections
The William and Mary Quarterly
https://doi.org/10.2307%2F1921354
George Clinton: Yeoman Politician of the New Republic
https://books.google.com/books?id=CzENUusPxfoC&q=james+monroe+running+mate+1808
Presidential Elections, 1789-2008: County, State, and National Mapping of Election Data
elections.lib.tufts.edu
http://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog?commit=Limit&f%5Belection_type_sim%5D%5B%5D=General&f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&page=2&q=1820&range%5Bdate_sim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1820&range%5Bdate_sim%5D%5Bend%5D=1820&search_field=all_fields&utf8=%E2%9C%93
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=Kentucky&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=Maryland&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=New+Hampshire&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=New+Jersey&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=North+Carolina&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=Ohio&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=Pennsylvania&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=Rhode+Island&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=Tennessee&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range
elections.lib.tufts.edu
https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/?f%5Boffice_id_ssim%5D%5B%5D=ON056&f%5Bstate_name_sim%5D%5B%5D=Virginia&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bbegin%5D=1808&range%5Bpub_date_facet_isim%5D%5Bend%5D=1808&search_field=dummy_range