United States Presidential Election of 1880

Garfield edged Hancock 214 to 155 in the smallest popular vote margin ever, about 0.1 percent.

Overview

Ohio Representative James Garfield, a dark horse nominee, beat Winfield Hancock, hero of Gettysburg, by fewer than 8,000 popular votes out of over nine million, about 0.09 percent, the closest popular margin in presidential history, while winning comfortably 214 to 155 in the college. The parties were nearly balanced, with turnout above 79 percent. Garfield's assassination months later, by a disappointed office seeker, spurred the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 and reform of the spoils system.