1824 Election | Voting Public | Dirty Campaigning | Victory

In 1828, more people were eligible to vote
than had ever been the case.

Until the end of the 18th Century an American's right to vote had depended upon owning certain property and religious association. During the first three decades of the 19th Century most states largely removed these restrictions by passing constitutional amendments. In that election, more than three times as many people cast votes as in the 1824 election. It marked the beginning of modern politics, until then presidential elections had been decided solely by the Electoral College, and the electors had all been appointed. Beginning in 1828, members of the Electoral College were voted into their positions, therefore their votes more truly reflected the public's wishes.

Because of past grievances and a potentially very tight race, both Jackson and Adam's camps used unprecedented means to get the public's vote. To appeal to the common man, for the first time organizers used symbols and slogans such as Old Hickory and organized rallies, dinners, parades, and barbecues to get out the vote. Both sides were very carefully organized with committees from national to local fundraising to news coverage. >>>

Sources :

Robert V. Remini, Andrew Jackson, Volume Two, The Course of American Freedom, 1822-1832 (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998) Chapter 8, "Triumph and Tragedy."

The Hermitage [website], accessed 21 August 2001; available from http://www.thehermitage.com/elect.htm; Internet

The American President [website], accessed 21 August 2001; available www.americanpresident.org/lp_goodolddays.htm; Internet

Alice Osinski, Encyclopedia of Presidents, Andrew Jackson (Chicago: Children's Press, 1987)

Herman J. Viola, World Leaders Past and Present, Jackson (New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986)