Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1808'

(Wednesday, December 7, 1808, during the United States presidential election, 1808) — Democratic-Republican U.S. Secretary of State James Madison of Virginia was elected President of the United States today, defeating Federalist former U.S. Minister
to France Charles C. Pinckney of South Carolina.

Madison and his running mate, incumbent Vice President George Clinton of New York, defeated Pinckney and his running mate, former U.S. Minister to Great Britain Rufus King of New York, the same ticket the Federalists ran (and lost) in 1804, 64.7-32.4% in the national popular vote, which would result in a 122-47 victory in the Electoral College.

Incumbent U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, who had declined to run for a third term, threw his strong support behind Madison, a fellow Virginian.

Madison and Clinton would be sworn in for four-year terms on March 4, 1809.