1849 United States presidential election (PSUS History)

The 1849 Election was the first and only United States special presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 6th, 1849. Senator Aurelius P. Harrison defeated President Martin Van Buren and Vice President James K. Polk.

In 1848, a contingent race ended with Martin Van Buren winning another Presidential term, despite loosing the popular vote by roughly 6.3% to James K. Polk, then senator. In an electoral compromise, Polk would assume the position of Vice President. However, major disagreements between the northernite* moderate Van Buren and the southern confederationist* Polk led to the continuation of false claims by Polk of fraud in the election of 1848 led to the filing of a suit by Polk against Van Buren. Rising to the Supreme Court, Polk V. Van Buren, argued and decided in April 1849, overturned the election of 1848 in a landmark and controversial ruling. The three candidates eligible for ballot hood would be the top 3 contenders in the 1848 Election.

The Democratic-Agrarians nominate President Van Buren under the Supreme Court's ruling. However, since James K. Polk was now on the ballot himself, Franklin Pierce had to be chosen as a running mate.

The Unitary Democrats nominated Vice President James K. Polk, with John Tyler as a running mate

The Federalist-Republicans nominated Senator Aurelius P. Harrison, with Secretary of War Abraham Lincoln as a running mate.

Due to a vote split between President Van Buren and Vice President Polk, Senator Harrison managed to assume the Presidency.

”Confederationist” refers to a politician typically during the reconstruction era (1841-1853) who held beliefs advocating for radical segregation in the south and an end to the reconstruction period.

”Northerite” refers to a politician typically during the reconstruction era (1841-1853) who held beliefs advocating for civil rights and a continuation of reconstruction.