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County results Eaton: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Smith: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Vermont |
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The 1846 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on September 1, 1846,[1] and resulted in the election of Whig Party candidate Horace Eaton to a one-year term as governor.[2]
Statewide elections
In the race for governor, incumbent lieutenant governor Horace Eaton defeated Smith, a former member of the United States House of Representatives and Brainerd, a former member of the Vermont House of Representatives.[3]
In the popular vote for lieutenant governor, Whig Leonard Sargeant defeated Democrat Truman B. Ransom and Free Soil candidate Jacob Scott.[3] The vote totals were: Sargeant, 23,335 (47.4%); Ransom, 17,985 (36.6%); Scott, 7,801 (15.9%); scattering, 65 (0.1%).[3]
The contest for state treasurer resulted in the election of Whig Elisha P. Jewett, who defeated Democrat Daniel Baldwin and Free Soil nominee Zenas Wood.[3] Vote totals in the treasurer's race were: Jewett, 23,324 (48.2%); Baldwin, 17,847 (36.9%); Wood, 6,978 (14.4%); scattering, 192 (0.5%).[3]
Because none of the popular vote winners achieved the 50 percent required by the Constitution of Vermont, the Vermont General Assembly was required to choose the winners.[3] In most cases, the assembly selects the candidate who received a plurality of the vote.[3] In the October 8, 1846 legislative elections, Eaton, Sargeant, and Jewett all won their contests.[3] The reported vote totals were:[3]
Governor
Necessary for a choice: 111
Results:
- Eaton, 136
- Smith, 75
- Brainerd, 11
Lieutenant governor
Necessary for a choice: 112
Results:
- Sargeant, 138
- Ransom, 73
- Scott, 12
Treasurer
Necessary for a choice: 111
Results:
- Jewett, 138
- Baldwin, 74
- Wood, 12
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whig | Horace Eaton | 23,644 | 48.5% | + 1.4% | |
Democratic | John Smith | 17,877 | 36.7% | − 1.8% | |
Free Soil | Lawrence Brainerd | 7,118 | 14.6% | − 1.1% | |
Scattering | 64 | 0.02% | − 0.05% | ||
Total votes | '48,703' | '100' | – |
References
- ^ "To-Day: To-Day, Whigs of Old Addison, must find you early at the polls". Northern Galaxy. Middlebury, VT. September 1, 1846. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Armstrong, Howard E. (1955). Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 272 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Poland, J., ed. (October 15, 1846). "Vermont Legislature: October 8". The Green Mountain Freeman. Montpelier, VT. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.