New Jersey 1812 Electoral College

Office:
Electoral College (Federal)
Title:
Elector
Jurisdiction:
Federal
Label:
New Jersey 1812 Electoral College
Date:
1812
State:
New Jersey
Type:
General
Iteration:
First Ballot
Office/Role:
Electoral College/Elector
Electors:
Lewis Moore, William MacCullough, Joseph Budd, Benjamin Bennett, Edward Yard, Jehu Townsend, Abijah Davis, Abraham Shaver, Mathew Welden, Evi Adams, William Colefax, James Linn, Jacob Howard, William Campfield, William T. Anderson, Martin Ryerson
Electors: Joseph BuddLewis MooreWilliam MacCulloughBenjamin BennettEdward YardJehu TownsendAbraham ShaverAbijah DavisMathew WeldenEvi AdamsWilliam ColefaxJames LinnJacob HowardWilliam CampfieldWilliam T. AndersonMartin Ryerson
Affiliation:RepublicanRepublicanRepublicanRepublicanRepublicanRepublicanRepublicanRepublicanFederalistFederalistFederalistFederalistFederalistFederalist
Presidential Candidate:James MadisonJames MadisonJames MadisonJames MadisonJames MadisonJames MadisonJames MadisonJames MadisonDeWitt ClintonDeWitt ClintonDeWitt ClintonDeWitt ClintonDeWitt ClintonDeWitt Clinton
Final Result: [1][2][3][4][5]1672167116701669166916681667166511111111
Bergin County----------------
Burlington County----------------
Cape May County----------------
Cumberland County3893893893893893893883891-------
Deerfield152152152152152152152152--------
Hopewell112112112112112112112112--------
Millvile1251251251251251251241251-------
Essex County----------------
Gloucester County531531531531531531531531--------
Egg Harbour181181181181181181181181--------
Galloway189189189189189189189189--------
Gloucester[6]107107107107107107107107--------
Weymouth5454545454545454--------
Hunterdon County255255255255255255255255--------
Kingwood134134134134134134134134--------
Tewskbury121121121121121121121121--------
Middlesex County----------------
Monmouth County----------------
Morris County----------------
Salem County----------------
Somerset County----------------
Sussex County497496490494495494493493-1111111
Hardiston124124118122123123123124-1111111
Vernon201200200200200200199197--------
Wantage172172172172172171171172--------

Notes:

[1]The election, recorded here, did not officially take place. In October 1812, when the Federalist captured the State Legislature, both parties had already nominated their tickets for Presidential Electors and Congress. That election was scheduled for November 1812. However, taking a from Republicans, the Federalist, now controlling the legislature, changed the method of selecting Presidential Electors, from popular vote, to a choice by the Legislature and as a result the election for Presidential Electors was invalidated. In addition to changing the method of choosing Presidential electors, the Federalist also decided to alter the election of congressmen from state wide At-Large to Districts. The scheduled November elections were postponed and three separate Districts were created, each electing two Congressmen. This election was held January 12th and 13th 1813. Some towns, either because word of the these changes did not reach them in time, or most likely in defiance, went ahead and held elections. The Republican ticket received almost all of the votes cast, which suggests they were protesting the changes made by the Legislature. The Federalist received only a single vote in two towns. These returns were never reported in the newspapers. I think however, they are of interest, as no where has this ever been mentioned.
[2]"The Legislature of this State go in Session this day at Trenton." The Centinel of Freedom (Newark, NJ). October 27, 1812.
[3]"From The Fredonian (New Brunswick, NJ). THE ELECTION - Contrary to all reasonable calculation the late election has terminated in favor of the federalist who, after twelve year indefatigable exertions, have at length obtained a small majority in the Legislature. .... The federal majorities, except Burlington are comparatively small, which can be overbalanced by the powerful democratic counties of Morris and Essex. Unless therefore, the Legislature (fearful of an expression of the public voice at a general election) should repeal the existing election law, our Representatives to Congress and our Electors of President and vice President will unquestionably be republican." The True American November 2, 1812.
[4]"Legislative News. On Thursday the Legislature went into Joint-Meeting .... The election law, authorizing the people to choose members of Congress and Electors of President and Vice President by a general ticket has been repealed. The Legislature will appoint the Electors and on Saturday last, a bill was reported, laying off the state into Congressional districts as follows: Sussex and Bergen one district; Morris and Essex one; Monmouth and Middlesex one; Hunterdon and Somerset one; Gloucester and Burlington one and Salem, Cumberland, Cape May and part of Gloucester one." The Centinel of Freedom (Newark, NJ). November 3, 1812.
[5]"OUR ELECTION LAW It is not more surprising than true, that the federal Legislature of New Jersey, now in session has repealed the law authorizing the PEOPLE to choose members of Congress and Elector of President and vice President, by a General Ticket. The Electors are to be appointed by the Legislature; and of curse will be federal, alias Clintonian! The State will be laid off into Congressional Districts; and, according to the arrangement, we understand the federalist calculate to succeed in electing four out of the six members. What will the PEOPLE say to his high handed, this outrageous proceeding? .... Do they forget that the mode of choosing members of Congress by a general ticket, is the mode which the FEDERALIST adopted in 1801 and continued by the Republicans ever since? Besides the present law has been acted on; therefore the constitutionality of its repeal may be questioned. Nomination had been made and forwarded to the county and township Clerks; expense had been incurred; and each party had formed their Tickets and made preparation for the election." The Centinel of Freedom (Newark, NJ). November 3, 1812.
[6]Jehu Townsend received 105 votes as John Townsend.

References:

Original Election Returns. New Jersey State Library, Trenton.
The Centinel of Freedom (Newark, NJ). October 27, 1812.
The True American (Trenton, NJ). November 2, 1812.
The Centinel of Freedom (Newark, NJ). November 3, 1812.

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