Presidential Election of 1816

The **Ninth Presidential Election** of the Republic of the Green Mountains took place from November 1 - December 4, 1812. The Civil War of 1807 had not gotten any better during President Benjamin F. Bache's term, in 1815 after war recruitment ramped up, some states experienced starvation due to loss of the South and taxes were pushed up, the near riotous northern states and territories known as Canada had revolted much similarly to the way the south had, the nation quickly wanted new leadership, and Bache would lose most support. The Tertium Quids wanted a new face, someone abrasive to fight for them, and in some slim majorities, Maine Senator John Erler would win the nomination. The Democratic Party was pretty much screwed going into the 1816 Election, and while Bache wanted to run for a second term, he wouldn't garner much support, eventually after being pardoned by President Bache, George Benckendorf ran for the nomination, beating him out along with several others. Rejecting the former President, the National Republicans would back a very Democratic like contender in Elihu Smith, another Maine resident who split the Democratic vote.

## Candidates

### Tertium Quid

The Tertium Quid Party, despite being divided over the old pro-war guard and new anti-war faction, was now the party of highest support, and they had been working in the background to ensure a victory. In looks for a more bombastic President, the party looked at several candidates that were more charismatically inclined. Among these included Senator from New York James Berkman and Senator from Maine John Erler. Despite being a statesmanlike candidate with a strong record, Berkman couldn't appeal to new former Democratic voters, as Erler had a pretty good performance in that area thanks to his past connections. After a close caucus vote, Erler would squeak out with the win, and would go into the Presidential Election.

Tertium Quid Caucus Balloting
 James Berkman | 25
 Charles Carroll | 4

### Democratic

The Democratic Party was still an unbreakable force since it's recovery after the 1804 split, but right now they had split mainly between the Bacheite Faction (term used by historians to describe Democrats who disliked Benckendorf for his relatively hawkish and anti-tolerationist views) and the more radical Benckendorfite Faction (who thought that Benckendorf will be able to save the country). Both saw nominations of incumbent President Benjamin F. Bache and former President George Benckendorf respectively. Even some more minor factions formed, including Governor of Pennsylvania Simon Snyder, backed by a group of Bacheites who thought Bache couldn't win re-election, and a small group of New York delegates who backed Governor of New York Daniel D. Tompkins.

First Democratic Caucus Balloting
 Simon Snyder | 28
 Benjamin F. Bache | 21
 Daniel D. Tompkins | 9

Second Democratic Caucus Balloting
 Benjamin F. Bache | 15

### National Republican

The National Republican Party, fed up with George Benckendorf, unanimously nominated former Representative Elihu Smith to run in the General Election, however they also nominated Daniel D. Tompkins for Vice President.

## Campaigning

Benckendorf, due to his old age and war business delegated most of campaigning to surrogates and local party bosses, who promoted his progressive policies and traits required to move through the dark times towards peace and progress. Erler tried to avoid controversial points that would divide the Tertium Quid, criticizing the Bache Administration for poor management of the country and promoting his youth compared to a really old opponent. Meanwhile the National Republicans mainly focused on killing Benckendorf's campaign, crafting a platform broadly similar to Benckendorfite in terms of structural reforms, while promoting high tariffs and internal improvements to sway northern Democratic voters.

## Results

The election would be 53-53 in the electoral college, being the first tied election, and it fell to the House of Representatives, in the nomination process the House would vote 7-5 in favor of John Erler, making him the first President to elected by the House, and the first President to not win the plurality of votes. Benckendorf recognized the results and wanted to work with the new President regarding war matters, however it all failed and he was sacked in summer of 1817.

***Results for the 1812 Presidential Election:***
 John Erler | Tertium Quid | Maine | 39,463
 George Benckendorf | Democratic | Pennsylvania | 39,793
 Elihu Smith | National Republican | Maine | 3,303