Featured 1864 Election, with a Twist!

Elect One For President! Election Day 1864

  • Jefferson Finis Davis - Confederate Party

    Votes: 26 34.2%
  • Abraham Lincoln - National Union Party (Republican)

    Votes: 41 53.9%
  • George B. McClellan - Democratic Party

    Votes: 9 11.8%

  • Total voters
    76
  • Poll closed .

CivilWarTalk

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So today is the anniversary of Election Day 1864, and on that day Abraham Lincoln ran as an incumbent against his former General, George B. McClellan.

We could revisit that election, but to do so we would have to ask the Southern Half of the country to abstain, since at that time they were in rebellion and not participating in the election.

But, that wouldn't be any fun! What if someone else was also running, let's say, a third party, and Winner Takes All?




And just so you are fully aware of the 1864 Party Platforms:


Also, Did you know there was a Radical Party that dropped out of the race?
 
Although, Davis couldn't have been on the ballot in 1864 (unless secession hadn't happened)... the Confederate constitution specified a six year presidential term, which for Davis wouldn't have been up till 1866 at least... and if I recall correctly, he wouldn't have been able to stand for a second term.

But... details.
 
Although, Davis couldn't have been on the ballot in 1864 (unless secession hadn't happened)... the Confederate constitution specified a six year presidential term, which for Davis wouldn't have been up till 1866 at least... and if I recall correctly, he wouldn't have been able to stand for a second term.

But... details.

Well maybe Davis could be president of the Confederacy from 1861 to 1867 and the USA from 1864 to 1868! :dance:

Dual crowns, like Austria-Hungary or the Upper\Lower Nile!
 
This brought to mind one of my favorite scenarios from a reenactment, the election of 1864 at Cedar Creek some years back. The guys who came up with the idea opened the election to the entire Federal Army. They had a nice ballot box, literature from both candidates, ribbons and streamers etc. While standing in line to cast my vote, I decided that I would do my "part" to ensure my candidate, Honest Abe, won. I manged to change uniforms and hats enough times to convince the Officer overseeing the voting that I was in fact everyone of the 36 men I voted as. I nearly had Gen Daryl Markijohn convinced to loan me his uniform and hat to vote one last time, but using his horse made it a bridge too far. I also was able to disguise 5-10 Suffragettes sufficiently to allow them to cast a ballot. From my recollection, at least 100 guys were standing around roaring with laughter, Daryl included, for the better part of 45 minutes over my antics.
 
This brought to mind one of my favorite scenarios from a reenactment, the election of 1864 at Cedar Creek some years back. The guys who came up with the idea opened the election to the entire Federal Army. They had a nice ballot box, literature from both candidates, ribbons and streamers etc. While standing in line to cast my vote, I decided that I would do my "part" to ensure my candidate, Honest Abe, won. I manged to change uniforms and hats enough times to convince the Officer overseeing the voting that I was in fact everyone of the 36 men I voted as. I nearly had Gen Daryl Markijohn convinced to loan me his uniform and hat to vote one last time, but using his horse made it a bridge too far. I also was able to disguise 5-10 Suffragettes sufficiently to allow them to cast a ballot. From my recollection, at least 100 guys were standing around roaring with laughter, Daryl included, for the better part of 45 minutes over my antics.

So, who won it?
 
So here is a what if that goes along with this poll, what if after the election in 1864 the Southern states submitted their electors to the Electoral College? Then they "Could" vote for whomever they wanted, and spoil Lincoln's big day....

All this despite being in rebellion, was there anything in place legally from stopping that from happening?

Or perhaps because the seats in the house and senate were vacant the electors were null and void?

Just something I'm wondering....
 
So here is a what if that goes along with this poll, what if after the election in 1864 the Southern states submitted their electors to the Electoral College? Then they "Could" vote for whomever they wanted, and spoil Lincoln's big day....

All this despite being in rebellion, was there anything in place legally from stopping that from happening?

Or perhaps because the seats in the house and senate were vacant the electors were null and void?

Just something I'm wondering....


(heated debate going on in the crowded assembly hall. Main Doors creak open loudly, slowly, and all arguing stops as everyone looks silently startled in the direction of the grey-clad gentlemen entering the chamber).

"Howdy, y'all...we heya ah the electors from th' great sovereign state uh Texas. Don' mind us, jes' carry on." 😄
 
(heated debate going on in the crowded assembly hall. Main Doors creak open loudly, slowly, and all arguing stops as everyone looks silently startled in the direction of the grey-clad gentlemen entering the chamber).

"Howdy, y'all...we heya ah the electors from th' great sovereign state uh Texas. Don' mind us, jes' carry on." 😄
Ok, so for practical purposes it's "impossible", sure, I'm just wondering if it would be legally possible, if they could physically make it in the building without being arrested or attacked, which again, seems unlikely.
 
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