In 2000 George W. Bush was elected President of the United States without receiving a majority of the popular vote. Which of these past presidents was also elected without a majority of the popular vote.

Four presidents took office without winning the popular vote. In other words, they did not receive a majority in terms of the popular vote. They were elected, instead, by the electoral college or in the case of John Quincy Adams by the House of Representatives after a tie in the electoral votes. They were:

John Quincy Adams who lost by 44,804 votes to Andrew Jackson in 1824

Rutherford B. Hayes who lost by 264,292 votes to Samuel J. Tilden in 1876

Benjamin Harrison who lost by 95,713 votes to Grover Cleveland in 1888

George W. Bush who lost by 543,816 votes to Al Gore in the 2000 election.

More Info: americanhistory.about.com

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34 Comments

James Edwards

Sorry folks, but I am a deplorable

BooBoo's Mama

James Edwards, I too am a deplorable, Sir.

Sfeier

hmmm... you forgot the popular vote loser, Donald J Trump.

Dave Daker

Sfeier, twice

janellejaworski

Oh Benjamin Harrison sorry my mistake

littledick

I am not that enamored with the electoral college, but it does spread out the influence a bit more by giving some power to states with smaller population. However, when we look at this last election, HC lost by almost 3 MILLION votes. That spread is a way lot more than any of the previous elections quoted. Something is amiss for sure. Part of the problem is gerrymandering. That situation should definitely be dealt with even before anyone starts to tinker with the college. And this could be done without needing a constitutional amendment.

littledick

Wendy Manson-Myers, C'mon! We don't need name calling. Criticism of his elementary math. problem will do.

littledick

Don Bardwell, Do you consider losing the popular vote by almost 3 million winning by a large margin?! Your arithmetic astounds me!

jjohnson

James Edwards, and proud of it!

jjohnson

The first president on the list to be elected by electoral college vote was James GARFIELD.

Ed Taber

In the case of Tilden there was the religious question as Tilden was Catholic and frightened the protestants and Masons.

L Lh Adams

Take away the dead and illegal votes and the results would have been the same with Hitlery losing,Al Gore losing and Slick Willie would have been forgotten.