1832 Vermont gubernatorial election

1832 Vermont gubernatorial election

← 1831 October 11, 1832 (1832-10-11) 1833 →
 
Nominee William A. Palmer Samuel C. Crafts Ezra Meech
Party Anti-Masonic National Republican Democratic
Popular vote 17,318 15,499 8,210
Percentage 44.9% 37.8% 20.0%

County results
Palmer:      30–40%      40–50%      60–70%      70–80%
Crafts:      30–40%      40–50%      60–70%
Meech:      30–40%

Governor before election

William A. Palmer
Anti-Masonic

Elected Governor

William A. Palmer
Anti-Masonic

The 1832 Vermont gubernatorial election took place in September and October, and resulted in the election of William A. Palmer to a one-year term as governor.[1]

The candidates for governor in 1832 were: incumbent William A. Palmer (Anti-Masonic); former Governor Samuel C. Crafts (National Republican); and Democrat Ezra Meech.[1] In the general election, the General Assembly, which met in Montpelier on October 11, determined that the results were: total votes, 41,027; Palmer, 17,318 (42.2%); Crafts, 15,499 (37.8%); Meech, 8,210 (20.0%).[1]

Because no candidate received a majority as required by the Vermont Constitution, the General Assembly was required to select.[1] Over 42 ballots, 223 members cast ballots, meaning 112 were required for a choice.[2] Palmer consistently led the balloting with more than 100 votes, and attained as many as 111.[3] On the 43rd ballot, 222 members cast ballots, meaning 111 were required for a choice.[3] One Crafts supporter did not vote and one voted for Palmer, who was elected with 112 votes to 72 for Crafts, 37 for Meech, and 1 recorded as scattering.[3]

In the race for lieutenant governor, the total votes were 40,914.[1] Anti-Mason and incumbent Lebbeus Egerton received 17,181 votes (42.0%), Jedediah Harris, a National Republican, received 15,304 (37.4%), and Democrat John Roberts received 8,429 (20.6%).[1] The General Assembly was required to choose and with 219 members voting on the first ballot, 110 votes were necessary for a choice.[1] Egerton was elected with 111 votes to 66 for Harris, 40 for Roberts, and 2 scattering.[1]

Benjamin Swan won election to a one-year term as treasurer, his thirty-third.[1] Though he had nominally been a Federalist, Swan was usually endorsed by the Democratic-Republicans and even after the demise of the Federalist Party he was frequently unopposed.[4] In 1832, he was the candidate of the National Republicans[5] and Democrats,[6] and Augustine Clarke was the Anti-Masonic candidate.[7] The popular vote was reported as: total votes cast, 40,389; Swan, 23,687 (58.6%); Clarke, 16,702 (41.4%).[8]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Walton, E. P., ed. (1879). Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont. Vol. VIII. Montpelier, VT: Joseph Poland. pp. 57–60 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "The Legislature: Thursday, October 18". Vermont Patriot and State Gazette. Montpelier, VT. October 22, 1832. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Vermont Patriot and State Gazette" (October 22), p. 2.
  4. ^ Joshua L. (November 26, 2004). "Swan, Benjamin". Our Campaigns. Our Campaigns.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "Republican Nominations". Vermont Patriot and State Gazette. Montpelier, VT. July 2, 1832. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Democratic Ticket". The Vermont Patriot and State Gazette. Montpelier, VT. July 30, 1832. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Vermont Antimasonic State Convention". North Star. Danville, VT. July 10, 1832. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Vermont Patriot and State Gazette" (October 22), p. 3.