1813 Vermont Gubernatorial Election: A Narrow Victory
The Vermont gubernatorial election of 1813 stands as one of the most contentious and closely contested races in the state's early political history. Held on September 7, 1813, the election pitted the incumbent Democratic-Republican, Jonas Galusha, against the Federalist challenger, Martin Chittenden. What began as a popular vote ended in a dramatic legislative showdown that decided the leadership of the state.
At the time, the Vermont Constitution required a candidate to secure a majority of the popular vote to be elected governor. When the results were tallied, it became clear that neither candidate had achieved this threshold, shifting the decision-making power to the Vermont General Assembly—the state's legislative body.
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Key Facts
- Election Date: September 7, 1813.
- Winner: Martin Chittenden (Federalist).
- Margin of Victory: A single vote (112 to 111) in the General Assembly.
- Popular Vote: Jonas Galusha actually received more popular votes (16,838) than Martin Chittenden (16,532).
- Outcome: Chittenden served a one-year term.
The Legislative Battle for the Governorship
The process of determining the winner was fraught with tension. On October 14, the Vermont House of Representatives formed a committee to review the votes cast by the freemen of Vermont. During this review, the committee disallowed several hundred votes for Jonas Galusha. This action ensured that neither candidate held a constitutional majority, triggering a selection process by the combined vote of the General Assembly.
The Secret Ballot Controversy
On October 21, the General Assembly met for a secret ballot. The result was a razor-thin victory for Martin Chittenden, who won 112 votes to Galusha's 111. This result was immediately contested by Galusha's supporters, who claimed that 112 members had actually voted for Galusha, suggesting a ballot had been lost or intentionally omitted.
To resolve the dispute, Galusha's allies proposed placing all 112 supposed supporters under oath. However, Chittenden's supporters countered that one member had privately promised to withhold their vote to ensure Chittenden's victory. While the House continued to debate the legitimacy of the count, Chittenden took the oath of office from Nathaniel Chipman, the chief judge of the Vermont Supreme Court. By notifying the House that he was ready to deliver his inaugural speech, Chittenden effectively ended the controversy and assumed power.
Other State Election Results
Lieutenant Governor Race
The race for lieutenant governor mirrored the chaos of the gubernatorial contest. After a canvassing committee disallowed ballots for Paul Brigham, the popular vote was reported as follows:
- William Chamberlain (Federalist): 15,557 votes (48.8%)
- Paul Brigham (Democratic-Republican): 15,393 votes (48.2%)
- Scattering: 958 votes (3.0%)
Since no candidate achieved a majority, the General Assembly decided the outcome. In a striking parallel to the governor's race, William Chamberlain was declared the winner by a vote of 112 to 111.
Treasurer Election
In contrast to the volatility of the other races, the election for treasurer was stable. Benjamin Swan, a Federalist who also received endorsement from the Democratic-Republicans, was elected to a one-year term. This marked Swan's fourteenth term in the position, though specific vote totals were not recorded.
Election Summary Table
| Nominee | Party | Popular Vote | Percentage | Electoral Vote (Assembly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Chittenden | Federalist | 16,532 | 48.6% | 112 |
| Jonas Galusha | Democratic-Republican | 16,838 | 49.6% | 111 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the popular vote in the 1813 Vermont election?
Jonas Galusha won the popular vote with 16,838 votes (49.6%) compared to Martin Chittenden's 16,532 votes (48.6%).
How did Martin Chittenden become governor if he lost the popular vote?
Because neither candidate achieved a majority required by the Vermont Constitution, the election was decided by the Vermont General Assembly, where Chittenden won by a single vote (112 to 111).
What was the controversy surrounding the General Assembly vote?
Supporters of Jonas Galusha claimed that a ballot had been lost or ignored, arguing that 112 members had actually voted for Galusha, which would have resulted in a tie.
Who was the Lieutenant Governor elected in 1813?
William Chamberlain, a Federalist, was elected Lieutenant Governor after the General Assembly decided the contest with a 112 to 111 vote.
How many terms did Benjamin Swan serve as treasurer?
The 1813 election marked Benjamin Swan's fourteenth one-year term as treasurer.