The Election of 1788 was the first presidential election in United States history, laying the foundations of American democracy under the newly ratified Constitution. Stretching across two calendar years, from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, this unique election introduced the Electoral College system and established precedents that would shape the nation’s politics for centuries to come.
Background
In June 1788, the United States Constitution was ratified by the required number of states, creating the framework for a new federal government. It outlined the roles of Congress, the President, the Supreme Court, and the procedures for admitting new states.
Not every state was ready to participate. North Carolina and Rhode Island had not yet ratified the Constitution, while New York’s legislature was deadlocked and failed to appoint electors. Vermont, meanwhile, was not yet officially recognised as a state. Even so, enough states had approved the Constitution for the first election to proceed.
The Electoral College was the mechanism chosen to decide the presidency. Each elector cast two votes, with the highest vote-getter becoming President and the runner-up becoming Vice President. Crucially, the system did not distinguish between presidential and vice-presidential votes. This meant electors had to coordinate carefully to avoid unintentional outcomes — a flaw that would cause problems in later elections.
The Candidates
The presidency itself was never in doubt. George Washington, revered as commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, was the overwhelming favourite. Calls for him to become a monarch were firmly rejected, as Washington was determined to uphold the ideals of republican government.
The real contest was for the vice presidency. Among the leading Federalist candidates were:
- John Adams – A Massachusetts revolutionary, diplomat in Europe, and staunch advocate of independence.
- John Jay – A key author of The Federalist Papers and the future first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
- John Hancock – Governor of Massachusetts, remembered for his bold signature on the Declaration of Independence.
- Samuel Huntington – Former President of the Continental Congress and long-serving Connecticut politician.
Opposing them was George Clinton, governor of New York and a leading Anti-Federalist who had resisted ratification of the Constitution. His supporters would later align with the emerging Democratic-Republican movement, a precursor to the modern American party system.
Voter Participation
Electors were chosen in 10 states, but voting methods varied. In some states, such as Pennsylvania and Maryland, electors were selected directly by voters. In others, including New Jersey and Delaware, legislatures appointed electors without a popular vote.
Because property ownership remained a requirement for voting, and because many states restricted suffrage, only a small fraction of the population actually had a say in choosing electors. This limited participation highlighted the exclusive nature of early American democracy.
The Results
As expected, George Washington won unanimously, securing all 69 electoral votes — the only time in U.S. history that a candidate achieved 100% of the vote. John Adams finished second with 34 votes, making him the first Vice President. Other candidates, including Jay, Hancock, and Clinton, received smaller totals.
Behind the scenes, Alexander Hamilton played a crucial role in shaping the outcome. Recognising Washington’s inevitability, Hamilton carefully coordinated Federalist votes to ensure Adams came second rather than accidentally tying with Washington or surpassing him, which would have risked chaos under the system’s early rules.
Significance
The Election of 1788 established the office of the presidency, confirmed Washington’s unrivalled authority, and set enduring precedents:
- The peaceful organisation of a national election under a new Constitution.
- The rise of the Electoral College as the decisive body in presidential contests.
- The first emergence of political factions, even before formal parties existed.
Though simple in outcome, the election revealed flaws in the electoral system that would become more apparent in the future — eventually leading to the ratification of the 12th Amendment in 1804, which clarified the process of voting separately for President and Vice President.
Legacy
The Election of 1788 created the framework for all future contests. Four years later, the Election of 1792 would test Washington’s popularity once more — and reveal the first hints of America’s emerging two-party system.
