# 1878 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

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The 1878 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 5, 1878, to select five Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. Two Democratic incumbents were re-elected, two Republican incumbents were defeated and the open seat was picked up by the Democrats. The composition of the state delegation after the election was solely Democratic.

## Voter fraud

South Carolina was one state rampant with voter fraud, particularly through the use of tissue ballots, thin ballots hidden in the normal ballot, typically 10 to 20 at a time. The almost statewide exclusion of Republicans as Commissioners of Elections, and the ensuing appointment of nearly all Democratic Managers of Elections, allowed to Democratic Managers to perpetrate this scheme. When the votes were counted and more votes than voters were found, the Managers removed and destroyed the Republican ballots resulting in the complete takeover of the state.

## 1st congressional district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Joseph Rainey of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1870, was defeated by Democratic challenger John S. Richardson.

### General election results

South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1878 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John S. Richardson | 22,707 | 61.7 | +13.9 |
| | Republican | Joseph Rainey (incumbent) | 14,096 | 38.3 | −13.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,611 | 23.4 | +19.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,803 | | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## 2nd congressional district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Richard H. Cain of the 2nd congressional district, in office since 1877, declined to seek re-election. Democrat Michael P. O'Connor, a contestant in the 1876 election, defeated Republican Edmund William McGregor Mackey in the general election.

### General election results

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1878 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Michael P. O'Connor | 20,568 | 60.9 | +23.0 |
| | Republican | Edmund W.M. Mackey | 13,182 | 39.1 | −23.0 |
| | No party | Write-Ins | 11 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,386 | 21.8 | −2.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 33,761 | | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## 3rd congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman D. Wyatt Aiken of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1877, defeated Republican challenger J.F. Ensor.

### General election results

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1878 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | D. Wyatt Aiken (incumbent) | 24,533 | 79.1 | +21.1 |
| | Republican | J.F. Ensor | 6,348 | 20.5 | −21.5 |
| | No party | Write-Ins | 138 | 0.4 | +0.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,185 | 58.6 | +42.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 31,019 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## 4th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman John H. Evins of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1877, defeated Republican challenger Alexander S. Wallace.

### General election results

South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1878 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John H. Evins (incumbent) | 22,702 | 96.8 | +39.2 |
| | Republican | Alexander S. Wallace | 741 | 3.2 | −39.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,961 | 93.6 | −78.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 23,443 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## 5th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Robert Smalls of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1875, was defeated by Democratic challenger George D. Tillman.

### General election results

South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1878 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | George D. Tillman | 26,409 | 71.2 | +23.1 |
| | Republican | Robert Smalls (incumbent) | 10,664 | 28.8 | −23.1 |
| | No party | Write-Ins | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,745 | 42.4 | +38.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,076 | | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |