1916 Presidential Election

VAP turnout uses this page’s presidential vote total. VAP includes all residents age 21 and over, including women barred from voting in many states. VEP turnout is a separately published historical rate, using its own turnout and population estimates. These rates are not directly comparable.
32.1%
Turnout by VAP

Results of the presidential election of 1916, won by Woodrow Wilson with 277 electoral votes.

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Election History

Historical context for the 1916 election.

February 25, 1913

16th Amendment

The income-tax amendment expanded the federal government’s fiscal capacity and reflected Progressive efforts to change the distribution of taxation.

December 23, 1913

Federal Reserve Act

The law established a central banking system to improve monetary coordination and respond to financial instability.

1914–1918

World War 1

War in Europe challenged U.S. neutrality, disrupted international affairs, and made national preparedness and maritime rights major political questions.

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Woodrow Wilson’s Cabinet

Officials who served during the 1917–1921 elected term. Years show full tenure in office, including service outside the term; acting service is identified where included.

President: Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921)

Vice President: Thomas R. Marshall (1913–1921)

Secretary of State: Robert Lansing (1915–1920), Frank L. Polk (acting) (1920–1920), Bainbridge Colby (1920–1921)

Secretary of the Treasury: William G. McAdoo (1913–1918), Carter Glass (1918–1920), David F. Houston (1920–1921)

Secretary of War: Newton D. Baker (1916–1921)

Attorney General: Thomas W. Gregory (1914–1919), A. Mitchell Palmer (1919–1921)

Postmaster General: Albert S. Burleson (1913–1921)

Secretary of the Navy: Josephus Daniels (1913–1921)

Secretary of the Interior: Franklin K. Lane (1913–1920), John Barton Payne (1920–1921)

Secretary of Agriculture: David F. Houston (1913–1920), Edwin T. Meredith (1920–1921)

Secretary of Commerce: William C. Redfield (1913–1919), Joshua W. Alexander (1919–1921)

Secretary of Labor: William B. Wilson (1913–1921)

Other Sources

Electoral Votes

Other color: Socialist Party (Allan L. Benson). Left-leaning alignment. Combined Other totals include all remaining candidates.

266 to win
9,126,063 popular votes (49.2%)
Running Mate: Thomas R. Marshall
8,547,030 popular votes (46.1%)
Running Mate: Charles W. Fairbanks

The United States presidential election of 1916 took place while Europe was embroiled in World War I.
Wilson was helped by his campaign slogan “He kept us out of war”.

Presedential Election

Democrat

State Electoral Votes

Alabama

12

Alaska

Arizona

3

Arkansas

9

California

13

Colorado

6

Connecticut

7

Delaware

3

District of Columbia

Florida

6

Georgia

14

Hawaii

Idaho

4

Illinois

29

Indiana

15

Iowa

13

Kansas

10

Kentucky

13

Louisiana

10

Maine

6

Maryland

8

Massachusetts

18

Michigan

15

Minnesota

12

Mississippi

10

Missouri

18

Montana

4

Nebraska

8

Nevada

3

New Hampshire

4

New Jersey

14

New Mexico

3

New York

45

North Carolina

12

North Dakota

5

Ohio

24

Oklahoma

10

Oregon

5

Pennsylvania

38

Rhode Island

5

South Carolina

9

South Dakota

5

Tennessee

12

Texas

20

Utah

4

Vermont

4

Virginia

12

Washington

7

West Virginia

7

Wisconsin

13

Wyoming

3

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