U.S. presidential election, 1789

The U.S. presidential election of 1789 was the first presidential election in the United States of America. Prior to the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1789, the United States had no office of President. (While there was an office under the Articles of Confederation called the President of the United States in Congress Assembled, it was the chair of the Congress and was akin to the Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate.)

Related Topics:
United States of America - United States Constitution - 1789 - Articles of Confederation - President of the United States in Congress Assembled - Congress - Speaker of the House - President of the Senate

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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.

Related Topics:
New York - North Carolina - Rhode Island - United States Constitution

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For all intents and purposes, George Washington ran unopposed for election as President. Under the system then in place, each voting elector cast two votes, and the recipient of the greatest number of votes was elected President, providing they equaled or exceeded half the total number of electors. The runner-up became Vice President. (See Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution for a fuller description of the pre-12th Amendment electoral system.)

Related Topics:
George Washington - President - Vice President - Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution

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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.

Related Topics:
John Adams - Massachusetts - Vice President of the United States

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