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U.S. presidential election, 1789

Summary

The election of 1789 was the first presidential election in the United States.

New York failed to appoint its allotment of eight electors, and subsequently cast no electoral votes. North Carolina and Rhode Island also did not cast votes, as they had not yet ratified the United States Constitution.

Washington elected President

For all intents and purposes, George Washington ran unopposed for election as President. Under the system in place then and through the election of 1800, each voting elector cast two votes - the recipient of the greatest number of votes was elected President, the second greatest number Vice President.

Adams elected Vice President

The recipient of 34 electoral votes, John Adams of Massachusetts finished second in voting and as such was elected Vice President of the United States.

Election Results

Presidential Candidate	Party	State	Popular Vote:	Electoral Vote:
George Washington	None	Virginia	Unknown	69
John Adams	None	Massachusetts	Unknown	34
John Jay	None	New York	Unknown	9
Robert H. Harrison	None	Maryland	Unknown	6
John Rutledge	None	South Carolina	Unknown	6
George Clinton	None	New York	Unknown	3
Samuel Huntington	None	Connecticut	Unknown	2
John Milton	None	Georgia	Unknown	2
James Armstrong	None	Pennsylvania	Unknown	1
Benjamin Lincoln	None	Massachusetts	Unknown	1
Edward Telfair	None	Georgia	Unknown	1

See also

• President of the United States
• U.S. presidential election
• 1789
• History of the United States (1776-1865)